HIAWASSEE – On Saturday, June 14, eight regional “Blooming Beauties” took to the stage inside the Anderson Music Hall of the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds to compete for the title of 2025 Miss Georgia Mountain Fair.
The annual beauty pageant was held early this year for two reasons: 1) the usual August date makes participation tough for contestants enrolled in college, and 2) in deference to the giant 75th Anniversary event being planned for the Georgia Mountain Fair later this summer.
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Usually, the pageant takes place the night before the Georgia Mountain Fair kicks off, but this year, the 75th anniversary party will be occurring instead, to start at 7 p.m. on Aug. 14, and the free-to-attend party is sure to be exceptional.
Guests will enjoy clogging, fiddling, a live band, speaker Bob Anderson, an updated History Book available for purchase, special anniversary shirts, cupcakes and fireworks at the end, plus 75-cent carnival rides and a special display of memories from the fair.
The party will also feature all the former queens from the Miss Georgia Mountain Fair Pageant, including 2025 winner Amelia Kenlee Shook of Towns County.
At the 2025 pageant, the eight ‘Blooming Beauties’ showcased their achievements, style, poise and grace during the longstanding tradition.
Contestants range in age from 17 to 24 years old and are judged on their personal interviews with the judges, active wear, evening wear, questions answered on stage and overall presentation.
The winner is not only crowned the Queen of the Fair but also receives $1,500 and merchandise prizes. It is quite the honor.
Contestant achievements varied from athletic to artistic, from interest in the corporate world to show business.
Kaylie Ann Pickelsimer from Union County started college at age 16. She is a senior in high school dual enrolling in North Georgia Technical College in pursuit of a business degree. Outside of the classroom she is all about artistic expression. She even runs her own art business.
Carly Jean Barnett is a senior at Union County High School and wants to pursue a career in cosmetology. She is also an athlete and was an All-American cheerleader. Her favorite way to relax is spending time at the lake.
Deanna Faye Crowe from Towns County loves dance and drama. She has been on four billboards in Times Square. She is currently studying theatre at Young Harris College. She graduated magna cum laude earning 12 accomplishment cords.
Breeze Hinton from Cherokee County, North Carolina, is a natural athlete, having earned varsity letters in cross country, basketball and soccer. She is pursuing her studies at Southwestern with plans to become a nurse. She is a proud member of the Beta Club and the National Honors Society.
Amelia Shook of Towns County has an interesting legacy. She was born on her great-grandfather’s 100th birthday, and he was born on his great-grandfather’s 100th birthday.
Ellie Cook from Fannin County earned scholarships in both basketball and golf at Oglethorpe University, and she helps coach boys’ basketball.
Maddie Halligan of White County is ranked in the top 10% of her class and is a proud member of the Beta Club. She will pursue a career as a physical therapist where she can use her skills to make a difference in the lives of others.
Lilly Cannon, a recent graduate of Towns County High School, is an athlete, and her favorite flower is a lily. She plans to pursue a career as a neo-natal intensive care nurse and hopes to give her life to helping children.
Pageant Director Corrina Luckenbach and Host Mark Ward extended special thanks to sponsors Red Rooster Realty, Lake Chatuge Lodge and an anonymous donor. They also gave special recognition to Fairgrounds staff and volunteers, sound technicians and General Manager Hilda Thomason.
Carly Barnett was voted Miss Congeniality by her peers, and Maddie Halligan, who was the winner of the talent award, was also selected as Second Runner-Up. This year’s First Runner-Up was Deanna Crowe to round out the Queen’s Court.
After the final walk of the 2024 Pageant Queen Miss Rylee Kitchens, Shook was crowned Queen for 2025.
With the help of young Adaline Turpin, who is currently the holder of America’s Ideal Miss Southern States Junior Princess, Kitchens crowned Shook and showered her with flowers and congratulations. Young Miss Turpin stunned the crowd with her rendition of “Jesus Loves Me.”
This was the first event in a series of planned activities to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Georgia Mountain Fair. For more information on the upcoming fair and carnival Aug. 15-23, visit https://georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/localevents/fair.
