GOLDSBORO, N.C. — Perfect weather greeted visitors Thursday as the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair opened its gates for another year of rides, food, agriculture, competition and community traditions.
Day 1 offered plenty to celebrate, from Best of Show honors in the exhibit halls to livestock champions, educational displays and the crowning of the 2026 Queen of the Fair.
Queen of the Fair Crowned
One of the highlights of opening day was the Queen of the Fair Pageant, where Harley Lanier of East Duplin High School was crowned Queen.
Lanier also received the Gaye Hare Talent Award.
Allee Smith of Wayne Christian was named First Runner Up, while Sarah Heath of Wayne Early Middle College earned Second Runner Up honors. Mariyah Wooten of Lenoir Community College was named Third Runner Up.
Champions Named in Open Junior Market Hog Show
Agriculture took center stage with the Open Junior Market Hog Show, where young exhibitors competed for championship and showmanship honors.
MacKenzie Cox earned the title of Grand Champion, while Lucy Formisani was named Reserve Champion.
Showmanship winners included Mattie Carter in the Novice division for ages 3-7; Clayton Rouse in the Junior division for ages 8-11; Genevieve Pulcinic in the Intermediate division for ages 12-14; and MacKenzie Cox in the Senior division for ages 15-18.
Best of Show Winners Fill Exhibit Halls
Opening day also brought the announcement of the fair’s adult Best of Show winners, recognizing talent in cooking, sewing, crafts, art, photography, gardening, agriculture and other categories.
The 2026 adult Best of Show winners are:
- Prepared Foods: Dawn Anderson, Goldsboro
- Food Conservation: Lynn Creel, Fremont
- Apparel & Textiles: Charlotte Porter, Dudley
- Needlework: Alicia Wilkinson, Goldsboro
- Quilts: Suzette Evans, Elm City
- Quilt Square Special Contest: Frances Thompson, Goldsboro
- Crafts: Chuck Herring, Seven Springs
- Art: Charlotte Porter, Dudley
- Photography: Briana Bass, Goldsboro
- Antiques: Tyler McCall, Pikeville
- Bottle Collection: Craig Edwins, Goldsboro
- Creative Celebration: Vickie Tarlton, Goldsboro
- Scrapbooking: Rose Wright, Goldsboro
- Three R’s — Reclaimed/Repurposed/Reused: Cindy Evans, Smithfield
- Flower Show, Cut Flowers: Jill Mills, Goldsboro
- Flower Show, Container Grown Plants: Lori Jones, Pikeville
- Artistic Design: Amber Aycock, Fremont
- Horticulture: John Tart, Goldsboro
- Field Crops: Matt Sanderson, Four Oaks
- Vegetables: Bart Sexton, Goldsboro
Junior Barn Winners
Young competitors also showed off their creativity in the Junior Barn.
Jenny Goldman of Dudley received Best of Show in the Patriotic Pumpkin Decorating Contest, while Harper Mullanix of Goldsboro earned Best of Show in the LEGO Contest.
Educational and Community Exhibits Recognized
Community organizations and area students were also recognized for their displays.
Spring Creek High School was named the Educational Booth winner for Outdoor Landscape Design.
The Wayne County Health Department received recognition for the Family & Consumer Sciences Community Booth.
Town & Country ECA was also among the opening-day honorees.
The fair also featured a Christmas Tree Decoration Contest as part of the opening-day competitions and exhibits.
A Strong Start to the Fair
From champion livestock and colorful flowers to quilts, vegetables, artwork and photography, the opening day competitions reflected the agricultural heritage and creativity that have long been at the heart of the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair.
The comfortable weather provided an ideal backdrop as families made their way through the exhibits, barns and midway on the first day of the fair.
And Day 1 is only the beginning.
The Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair continues with more competitions, entertainment, livestock shows, midway rides, exhibits and fair food as the annual celebration rolls on in Goldsboro.
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