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History

HIGHLIGHTS

The Walker County Fair Association was organized on May 23, 1978 by parents, educators and community volunteers. These people felt a need to resume a meaningful youth-centered activity that had not existed since 1953. Highlights are listed below.

1978-79 and 1979-80 Buddy Smith, President
March, 1979– First Fair held; PK Etheredge, Queen; $112,285 youth project sales. Held on city property near airport
March, 1980– 2nd Fair; Sherry Jones, Queen; $99,303 youth project sales; 1st catalog published and carnival added

1980-81 and 1981-82 Sidney Grisham, President
1981– Kim Hooks, Queen; $149,000 youth project sales; purchased permanent site on Hwy. 30 west of Huntsville
1982– Karen Falk, Queen; $192,228 youth project sales; completed main building

1982-83 and 1983-84 Jack King, President
1983– Kelly Terpstra, Queen; 5th WCFA Anniversary; $193,000 youth project sales; added monthly dances at Fair Grounds
1984– Kelly Brooks, Queen; $225,990 youth project sales; 1st Freezer Sale

1984-85 and 1985-86 Spencer Karr, President
1985– Melissa Ford, Queen; $203,090 youth project sales; 1st cookbook published
1986– Laura Malak, Queen; $155,350 youth project sales; plans began for 25,000 square foot multi-purpose building

1986-87 and 1987-88 Roy Partin, President
1987– Jackie Williams, Queen; $132,738 youth project sales; added popcorn festival, Halloween & SHSU Activities
1988– Stacy Brooks, Queen; 10th WCFA Anniversary: $109,335 youth project sales; held downtown shootout during parade

1988-89 and 1989-90 Troy Allen, President
1989– Brenda Germany, Queen; $95,455 youth project sales; Academic Rodeo added
1990– Jennifer Smith, Queen; $99,000 youth project sales; 1st PRCA Rodeo held

1990-91 and 1991-92 Glen Reader, President
1991– Nicole Ramsey, Queen; $109,566 youth project sales; 2 ($500) scholarships awarded
1992– Kim Karr, Queen; $129,375 youth project sales; scholarships continued

1992-93 and 1993-94 Jana Stutts-Grisham, President (1st Female President)
1993– Courtney Klawinski, Queen; 15th WCFA Anniversary; $144,550 youth project sales; 3 ($ 1,000) scholarships awarded
1994– Angie Gillikin, Queen; $190,500 youth project sales; Commercial Heifers added to Youth Sale

1994-95 and 1995-96 Danny Pierce, President
1995– Sara Register, Queen; $226,700 record setting youth sales
1996– Kristie Walker, Queen; $249,493 youth project sales; added horse barn and concession stand to west side of grounds

1996-97 and 1997-98 Norma Reader, President (2nd Female President)
1997– Stephanie Klawinski, Queen; $260, 919 youth project sales; 1st Halloween Carnival and “Salute to Joe Beaver”
1998– Kelsey Christian, Queen; 20th WCFA Anniversary; $260,900 youth project sales; $10,000 awarded in scholarships

1998-99 and 1999-2000 Carol Grisham Smith, President (3rd Female President)
1999– Lindsey Myers, Queen; $310,490 project sales; D’Anne Crews, Parade Marshall; 20 year time capsule sealed
2000– Stacy Spriggs, Queen; $376,104 project sales; Carol Grisham, Smith, Parade Marshall; electronic sign/message board installed

2000-01 and 2001-02 Eddie Smith, President
2001– Brandy Prehoda, Queen; $387,691 youth sales; record $15,000 paid by First Baptist Church for Grand Champion Steer; CJ Heaton, Parade Marshall; 1st Outdoor Concert
2002– Brandy Taylor, Queen; over $5 million youth sales over past 24 years& $300,000 in scholarships/other awards, over 13,000 youth involved; Roy Partin, Parade Marshall

2002-03 and 2003-04 David Moorman, President (1st President who was past exhibitor at Fair)
2003– Stephanie Dixon, Queen; 25th WCFA Anniversary; $394,600 youth sales; Buddy Smith (1st President, Parade Marshall; Red Hill (24th Year) sign painter; 1st Joe Beaver Shoot-out of Stars; 9 students awarded in scholarships
2004– Randi Ross, Queen; $438,700 youth sales; David Moorman, Parade Marshall

2004-05 and 2005-06 Cindy Pierce, President (4th Female President)
2005– Kim Taylor, Queen; $450,200 youth sales
2006– Kellie Jo Springer, Queen; $549,332 record setting youth sales!!!

2006-07 and 2007-08 Huey Campbell, Jr., President
2007– Taylor Morrison, Queen; $558,700 youth sales
2008– Jordan Dyer; $582,425 youth sales; 30th WCFA Anniversary

2008-09 and 2009-10 Larry Brown, President
2009– Makenzie Hayman, Queen; $469,950 youth sales; 31st Anniversary Theme: WCFA Salutes the Troops
2010– McKayla Currier, Queen; $517,450 youth sales; 32nd Anniversary Theme: Blue Jeans& Country Dreams; $17,250 Scholarships Awarded

2010-11 and 2011-12 Kay King, President
2011– Kaci King, Queen; $539,350 youth sales; 33rd Anniversary Theme: Big Dreams in a Small Town; $12,500 Scholarships Awarded
2012– Brittany Drake, Queen; $529,600 youth sales; 34th Anniversary Theme: Cowboy Boots& Country Roots; $9,750 Scholarships Awarded; Carol Smith, Parade Marshall

2012-13 and 2013-14 Bobby Lane, President
2013- Kori King, Queen; $654,275 youth sales; 35th Anniversary Theme: Ridin’, Rockin’, & Livestockin’; $13,500 Scholarships Awarded; Kooter Roberson, Parade Marshall

2014- Maddie Cobler, Queen; $649,063 youth sales; 36th Anniversary Theme: Sow’Em, Grow’Em and Show’Em; $11,500 Scholarships Awarded, Norma and Glen Reader, Parade Marshalls

2014-15 and 2015-16 Rusty Davis, President

2015- Jenna Drane, Queen; $664,062 youth sales; 37^th Anniversary Theme: Country Pride County Wide; $16,750 Scholarships Awarded; Brenda King, Parade Marshall

2016- Morgan Newman, Queen; $629,010 youth sales; 38^th Anniversary Theme: Country Scenes & Children’s Dreams; $11,500 Scholarships Awarded; Herman & Doris Brown, Parade Marshals

2016-17 and 2017-18 Billy Hirsch, President

2017 – Kara Kuykendall, Queen; $675,800 youth sales; 39^th Anniversary Theme: From Wagon Wheels to Ferris Wheels; $14,250 Scholarships Awarded; Rusty Davis, Parade Marshal

2018 – Brynn Thompson, Queen; $701,300 youth sales; 40^th Anniversary Theme: 40 Years of Cowpokes, Young Folks and Ol’ Folks; $11,000 Scholarships Awarded; Dianne Powledge, Parade Marshal

2018-19 and 2019-20 Mike Yargo, President

2019 - Katelyn Klawinsky, Queen; $727,400 youth sales; 41st Anniversary Theme: Raising Champions Walker County Style; $14,000 Scholarships Awarded: Parade Marshal - Troy & Ginger Allen

2020 - Fair had to be cancelled due to the Covid 19 virus. Theme: Boots, Jeans & Cowboy Dreams; $531,550 youth sales

2020-21 and 2021-22 Otis Oliphant, President

2021 – Maddie Riley, Queen $909,777.00 youth sales, 43rd Fair. $29,400.00 Scholarships Awarded. A modified fair was held due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

2022 – Lauren Klawinsky, Queen $1,237,883.00 youth sales, 44th Fair Theme: There's no time like fair time. $40,850.00 Scholarships Awarded. Parade Marshal Judge Danny Pierce

2022-23 and 2023-24 Viola Hollis, President

2023 – Lillie Burris, Queen $1,111,515.00 youth sales, 45th Fair Theme: Barn To Be Wild. $22,400.00 Scholarships Awarded. Parade Marshal Jana Certa

2024 – Kelsey Johnson, Queen $1,334,945.00 youth sales, 46th Fair Theme: Treasure Chest Full of the County’s Best. $48,400.00 in Scholarships Awarded. Parade Marshal Tom Fordyce