Annual Event Recognizes Seniors, Young Competitors, and Local Excellence

GOLDSBORO, N.C. — The Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair honored dozens of participants across multiple competitions on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, celebrating everything from senior citizens’ milestones to youth spelling prowess and culinary craftsmanship.

Salute to Senior Citizens Honors Local Elders

The fair’s Salute to Senior Citizens recognized remarkable achievements among Wayne County’s elder community. Bessie Strickland of Princeton claimed the title of oldest senior citizen at 100 years old, while Darlene Robinson of Goldsboro was honored as the youngest grandparent at age 61.

Patricia Whitfield of Goldsboro was recognized for having the most children with seven, and Alma Darden of Mount Olive celebrated having 27 grandchildren. Katie McKinzie of Goldsboro boasted 18 great-grandchildren, the most in her category.

Eddie and Rosa Baker of Goldsboro were named the most recent grandparents, welcoming their grandchild just one day before the fair on September 29, 2025. The award for the couple married longest went to Rosemary and Ron Rands of Goldsboro, who have been married for 63 years.

Pie Baking Contest Showcases Culinary Skills

The pie baking competition drew talented bakers competing across five categories. Susan Elliott dominated the contest, placing in four of the five categories including first place in custard pies and second place in cream, fruit, and all other pies.

Meredith Jones won the cream pie category, while Nancy Patterson took top honors for fruit pies. Amanda Dilley claimed first place in the nut pie division, and Lori Jones won the all other pies category.

Youth Excel in Academic and Agricultural Competitions

The spelling bee featured winners from grades three through eight. Miguel Mosqueda of Grantham Elementary won the third-grade competition, while Elijah Mills of Spring Creek Elementary took first in fourth grade. Wyatt Carter from Fremont Elementary won the fifth-grade division.

In the middle school grades, Adrian Roddick of Norwayne Middle won sixth grade, Ky’lin Alexander of Norwayne Middle took seventh grade, and Amin Oguntade of Wayne Country Day won the eighth-grade competition.

Livestock and Agricultural Events Draw Strong Participation

The Livestock Skillathon Contest recognized excellence across four divisions. Lila Britt won the Junior 4-H category, while Danielle Franklin claimed the Senior 4-H title. Jackson Dietz took first in Middle School FFA, and Jamila Basik won the High School FFA division.

The Open Junior Chicken Show featured showmanship competitions across age groups. Luke James Johnson of Salemburg won the 3-7 age division, Ella Rose Lewis of Goldsboro took the 8-11 category, Danielle Franklin of Goldsboro won ages 12-14, and Cheyenne Oliver of Goldsboro claimed the 15-18 division.

Technical Skills and Recreation Competitions Round Out Events

In the Electrical Contest, Jordan Flora of Southern Wayne High School took first place, followed by Jonathan Tyner of Spring Creek High School in second and Dominick Foster of Eastern Wayne High School in third.

The cornhole tournament, held on Monday, saw “MO Baggerz” (Daniel Turner and Jessee Richardson) take first place, with “Bad Cats” (Jacob Medlin and Payton Cavenaugh) finishing second.

The fair’s flower show recognized Jill Mills of Goldsboro for Best of Show in cut flowers and Vickie Johnson of Dudley for Best of Show in artistic design.

The Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair continues to serve as a cornerstone event for the community, bringing together multiple generations to celebrate achievement, tradition, and local talent.