Winners Announced Across Multiple Categories on Thursday
GOLDSBORO, N.C. — The Wayne County Fair concluded another successful day of competition on Thursday, September 25, 2025, with local students and residents taking home top honors across dozens of categories ranging from educational displays to livestock shows.
Educational Excellence on Display
Spring Creek High School claimed victory in the Outdoor Landscape Design competition, showcasing their students’ knowledge of environmental planning and horticultural principles. The Wayne County Health Department earned recognition for its Family & Consumer Sciences Community Booth, demonstrating its commitment to public health education.
In the Christmas Tree Decoration Contest, Town & Country ECA took the top prize with their creative holiday display.
Arts and Crafts Competitions Draw Strong Participation
The fair’s craft competitions saw impressive talent from across Wayne County and surrounding areas. Cash Whitley of Goldsboro earned Best of Show honors in The Fair Craft Contest, while Sam Firzsimmons, also of Goldsboro, took the top prize in the LEGO Contest.
Food and Textile Categories
Gwyn Price of Goldsboro won Best of Show in Prepared Foods, while Jill Mills of Goldsboro claimed the Food Conservation category. Charles Gentry of Goldsboro took top honors in Apparel & Textiles.
Beverly Boltinhouse of LaGrange had an exceptional showing, winning both the Needlework category and the Three R’s (Reclaimed/Repurposed/Reused) competition, highlighting the growing emphasis on sustainable crafting practices.
Quilting and Creative Arts
Sylvia Weaver of Grantham dominated the quilting competitions, earning Best of Show in both the Quilts category and the special Quilt Square Contest. Other creative winners included Scott Fay of Snow Hill in Crafts, Samantha Fields of LaGrange in Art, and Johnny Williams of Goldsboro in Photography.
Agricultural and Horticultural Winners
Scott Pridgen of Nashville earned the prestigious Grand Champion Tobacco award, recognizing excellence in one of the region’s traditional agricultural crops.
In horticultural competitions, Jill Mills of Goldsboro won the Cut Flowers division of the Flower Show, while Melody Thomas of Fremont took top honors in Container Grown Plants. Betty Rose Sutton of Goldsboro claimed victory in Artistic Design.
Fair Queen Pageant Results
Despite initial cancellation notices, the Queen of the Fair Pageant proceeded with Jazilyn Scott of Wayne Christian School crowned as the 2025 Wayne County Fair Queen. Ailee Smith, also of Wayne Christian, was named First Runner Up, followed by Milah Goodman of Southern Wayne as Second Runner Up and Savanna Lee of Wayne Christian as Third Runner Up.
Jazilyn Scott received the Overall Talent Award for her outstanding performance.
Livestock Competition Highlights
The Open Junior Market Hog Show featured strong competition among young agriculturalists. Lucy Formisani claimed Grand Champion honors, while Halle Taylor earned Reserve Champion.
Showmanship Categories
The showmanship competition recognized young participants across age groups:
- Novice (Ages 3-7): Clayton Rouse
- Junior (Ages 8-11): Marker Smith
- Intermediate (Ages 12-14): Riley Ballance
- Senior (Ages 15-18): Conner Barwick
Elementary Student Artists Recognized
The fair also celebrated artistic talent among elementary students, with winners representing schools across Wayne County:
- Kindergarten: Yatzi Hernandez, Northeast Elementary
- First Grade: Neveah Dickens, North Drive Elementary
- Second Grade: Bailey, Eastern Wayne Elementary
- Third Grade: Mackenzie Everette-Kenon, Brogden Primary
- Fourth Grade: Harmony Vick, Rosewood Elementary
- Fifth Grade: Selyce Williams, Faith Christian
The Wayne County Fair continues to serve as a showcase for local talent, agricultural excellence, and community pride, bringing together residents from Goldsboro and surrounding communities in friendly competition and celebration of regional achievements.
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