Patricia Gourlay Crowned Jefferson County Fairest of the Fair 2016
The shining moment of the Jefferson County Fair took place Saturday night as the 2016 Jefferson County Fairest of the Fair was crowned.
The night of 80’s themed backdrops and music was the crowning jewel of three nights of events, all leading up to a special moment for one of the lucky ladies.
The contestants held hands as the reigning Fairest of the Fair, Hollie McGhee, prepared to crown the next representative of the Jefferson County Fair. Tensions were high as Ms. Congeniality and Crowd Favorite, were announced. The runners up were called forward: second runner up Charsley, and first runner up Makayla. Finally, we arrived at the moment everyone was waiting for, the 2016 Jefferson County Fairest of the Fair title was given to Patricia Gourlay of White Pine.
The daughter of Clarice and Jason Fowler, 19 year old Patricia has lived in White Pine since she was six. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, she has established herself as an active member of the White Pine community. This was Patricia’s second time going for the Fairest of the Fair, coming in close as the first runner up last year. “I just felt like I had to come back, and thank God I did!”
“Every Emotion was going through my head,” Patricia said. “Last year I wanted it, but this year it was my goal. I came back to win Fairest, and that’s what I have done. I wanted to laugh, I wanted to cry, it was just everything.”
Hollie had helped Patricia along the way. “Hollie told me about state, so I know what to expect at it. Hollie and I did our first pageant last year together, so everything she’s learned from last year she’s helped me over this pageant week, to coach me just in case, and it worked.”
Patricia will go on to the Tennessee Fairest of the Fair in January, representing Jefferson County among approximately 50 other representatives from other counties in the state.
Last year’s Fairest, Hollie McGhee, had some things to say about her tenure as the Jefferson County representative. “It is bittersweet, but I am hoping to do a pre-run of Ms. Tennessee United States in September. The past year has been amazing, and the closer it got I appreciated it and realized it’s about to go away.” She will be focusing her time on preparation for the Ms. Tennessee Pageant, which will have the pre-run in Pigeon Forge.
“I was very excited when the Judges came to me, on more than one occasion, and said that this was the best group of girls they have ever judged or worked with, through all their judging experiences,” Loretta Rummel, Pageant Director for Jefferson County Fairest of the Fair, said Saturday. “That makes me very proud for the girls that are representing Jefferson County Fairest of the Fair. You don’t get that with this age group. It’s very competitive, and I am very proud of those girls.”
