DECATUR -- "What is your favorite color?" the master of ceremony asked of a shy 5 year old as she stood before a crowd of around 1,000. "Pink" she answered. Then the shy little one burst into a chorus of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
This was the scene on the stage at Veterans Park during the 61st annual Decatur Barbecue Tiny Tots Pageant Aug. 2.
Eleven kids -- nine girls and two boys from Decatur, Gravette and Gentry --gathered to vie for the title of 2014 Mister and Miss Tiny Tot.
The reigning Miss Decatur Barbecue, Suzanna Sikes, served as master of ceremonies, her last official duty before handing her crown over to a new Miss Decatur Barbecue.
Each child was asked two of three simple questions: What is your favorite color? What is your favorite animal? or What is your favorite food? After the questions, each contestant was asked if they wanted to sing a song or tell a joke. Most chose to sing the children's song, Twinkle, Twinkle.
One of the boys, however, dared to answer one of the oldest questions known to man: "Why did the chicken cross the road?" "To get to the rooster," he answered.
The participants in the 2014 Mister and Miss Decatur Barbecue Tiny Tots Pageant included: Catelyn Stearman, 4, daughter of Brian and Jennye Stearman of Gravette; Khloe Lynn, 5, daughter of Kourtney Jones of Decatur; Larea Echeverria, 5, daughter of Rose Echeverria of Decatur; Saydee Davis, 4, daughter of Richard and Amanda Davis of Gravette; Jazzi Lovitt, 4, daughter of Justin and Jamie Lovitt of Decatur; Kyla Yust, 6, daughter of Holly Crawford of Decatur; Destiny Burks, 5, daughter of Daniel and Julie Burks of Gentry; Adrina Tilley, 5, daughter of Savannah Tilley of Decatur; Gracie Wright-Dillard, 5, daughter of Tom and Tracey Dillard of Gentry; Dylan Eller, 5, son of Kellsey Eller of Gentry; and Morgan Hopkins, 4, son of Sara Hopkins of Decatur.
All eleven contestants performed remarkably well, given their ages. One youngster even blew kisses as she crossed the stage. Their charm and childlike innocence made them all winners. However, only one boy and one girl captured the title.
Then came the announcement.
The runner-up for Mister Tiny Tot was Morgan Hopkins, and runner-up Miss Tiny Tot was Gracie Wright-Dillard
The 2014 Mister Decatur Barbecue Tiny Tot went to Dylan Eller, and the Miss Decatur Barbecue Tiny Tot went to Adrina Tilley.
The pair briefly posed for pictures before running off to change clothes and play on equipment at Veterans Park.
General News on 08/06/2014