DECATUR -- As Carter Beggs was winding down his opening performance for the 2017 Decatur Barbecue concert, seven kids, ages 4-6, were gathering near the left side of the Veterans Park stage. They were about to make their memorable walk across the stage for the 64th Annual Decatur Barbecue Tiny Tots pageant. And soon to follow was the crowning of the 2017 Miss Decatur Barbecue.
Five girls and two boys sang and danced their ways into the audience's hearts. The girls included Grace Hughes and Avery Helms from Gentry, Izabel Lopez from Decatur, Jade Walters from Siloam Springs and Sadee Maree Cherry from Colcord, Okla. The two boys included Bryson Clayton and Logan Smith, both from Decatur.
Judges for the Tiny Tots and Miss Decatur Barbecue included Cambree Evans from Rogers, Kyla Morey from Bentonville and 2014 Miss Decatur Barbecue Suzie Sikes from Gentry. All three volunteered their time to participate in this year's event.
Sara Garner, the reigning Miss Decatur Barbecue from Fayetteville, introduced each of the girls. Garner asked each of the contestants a series of five questions, which included their favorite color, food, animal, hobbies and song. After their initial interviews, the girls were lined up and brought to the center stage for one final viewing by the judges. The boys were up next. They were asked the same set of questions during their interviews conducted by Barbecue master of ceremonies John Huffman. At the conclusion of the boys' presentation, the judges took five minutes to decide the winners.
For the boys, first runner up was Bryson Clayton, with the title of Tiny Tots Mister Decatur Barbecue going to Logan Smith. For the girls, second runner-up went to Avery Helms and first runner-up to Sadee Maree Cherry. The 2017 Tiny Tots Miss Decatur Barbecue title went to Grace Hughes. Both winners were presented their crowns and sashes by 2016 winners Jazzi Lovett and Eli Whitaker.
After the contest was over, it was on to the Miss Decatur Barbecue pageant, beginning with the casual wear competition. Eight young women, including two from Decatur, walked across the stage as Garner once again acted as MC for the event. At the conclusion of the individual competition, the group returned to center stage for one final look in their casual wear.
The contestants returned to the stage one hour later for the final segment of the evening, the formal wear competition. Each was introduced by Garner and walked a figure-eight pattern across the stage.
As the judges' votes were tallied by Leslie Lentz, Garner made her final appearance as Miss Decatur Barbecue before turning her title over to a new contestant. Then it was time. Miss Congeniality and second runner-up went to Falyn Cordeiro from Gentry. First runner up went to Cori Overstreet from Gravette. And the title of the 2017 Miss Decatur Barbecue went to Starling Ledbetter from Fayetteville.
Ledbetter received a $500 scholarship provided by Kelsey McClain Painter and Leslie Lentz from Lentz and Company. Both Painter and Lentz were pageant co-organizers of the Miss Decatur Barbecue event and were key to its success.
General News on 08/09/2017