Contestants sought for 2024 Miss Whitley County Fair pageants

The 2024 Whitley County Fair pageants are still looking for contestants of several ages when the competitions are held on July 5-6 at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center.

“We want as many people to come out as possible to support the fair. It is near and dear to my heart,” said Michelle Calton, director of the pageant.

Contestants can register on the day of the pageant.

Calton said that while there has been a Ms./Mrs. Whitley County Fair Pageant competition the last couple of years, this year’s winner will get to go on to compete in a Kentucky Ms./Mrs. County Fair Pageant for the first time.

“Now they actually have that open for them to win a state title, which is exciting,” Calton said.

Contestants in this category will be judged in evening gown, cocktail and interview categories.

The Miss Whitley County Fair Pageant is open to young women from across the state, and the winner of that pageant will go on to compete at the state level in the Miss Kentucky County Fair Pageant.

This year will mark the second time that there will also  be a local winner crowned for the Whitley County contestant, who finishes the highest in the competition if a local contestant doesn’t win. However, the local winner will not go on to compete in the state competition.

Contestants will compete in evening gown, swimwear and interview.

“Say a local girl doesn’t win, then the next highest score of a local contestant will win a local title and a scholarship to the University of the Cumberlands. Both of those ladies will win a scholarship,” Calton added.

The Miss Whitley County Fair Pageant and the Ms./Mrs. Whitley County Fair Pageant will both take place on July 5.

On the morning of July 6, there will be beauty competitions for the younger contestants at the tourism center.

Starting about 2:30 p.m. on July 6 at the tourism center, the competition for the Little Miss and Mister, teen and pre-teen pageants will take place. Winners in these categories will go on to compete in the state competition.

The Little Miss and Mister will have an onstage question. The teen and pre-teen will compete in interview, evening gown and fun fashion.

There will be categories for boys ages 0-2, ages 3-6, and ages 7-10.

There will be categories for girls up to age 15 during the July 6 competition.

In addition, there will be a special angels competition, which open for those with special needs, which is an all beauty competition.

For more information about the pageants, go to the Whitley County Fair Facebook page, or contact Calton at (606) 524-4635.