It's fair season! The friedest of the fried, fairest of the fair and cutest of the cows

Funding for this is Nashville comes from Vanderbilt Blair School of Music, presenting the first Nashville concert by jazz vocalist Lucia, an evening of Latin, jazz and pop music with Lucia on Friday, September 18th in Ingram Hall. Tickets available at Blairtickets.com. I'm Blake Farmer, and this is Nashville. You know, we don't break a lot of news on this show, but today we just might. Because when you dig into state and county fairs, as we have, you learn a lot. Like how... For the first time in the history of the Tennessee State Fair, Highland Cows, those shaggy beasts we picture only in Scotland, will get their very own show and competition. Today's show is all about getting prepped for fair season or giving you a taste of what you're missing if you don't plan to go. The Williamson County Fair is going on now, wrapping up Saturday. The Tennessee State Fair held in Wilson County kicks off tomorrow and the rest kick up all through the month of September. These gatherings are far more than a chance to... to blow more money than you meant to on the Midway rides. They celebrate the local community with exhibits, oddities, show animals, and of course fried food. And today we're looking at the tradition through the eyes of its people and performers, old timers, and first timers. And we begin with a cuddly looking creature that is making its debut at the state fair. The Scottish Highland Sarifast is a breeder now of Highland cows, an owner of Faster Pastures. Welcome. Thank you. And Maddie Meneer, kind of a mentor to Sarah, is also a breeder, and American Highland Cattle Association Junior Showwoman. Welcome to this is Nashville. Thank you. Reminder to our audience, streaming video at YouTube.com slash at WPLN. You can see the beautiful flowers that Sarah brought in from her farm in Wilson County. So I understand that there have been Highland cows at the State Fair before. In fact, I think you all met over... Highland cows at the state fair. So, Sarah, what is different this year? So this year is the first time that instead of Highlands competing against other breeds, they're going to only compete against Highlands. So last year, we had... Maddie was the only one who showed up with Highlands. So she brought three cows with her. This year we're supposed to have 30 cows that will all be competing against each other. I see, including some from both of you. Yes. We'll be competing against each other. Yes, we will. Wow. All right. So Maddie, what is the big deal about Highlands and why are we just now starting to have a dedicated show at the Tennessee State Fair? I would tell you because there's not many people in Tennessee who show Highlands. Actually, like, I'm one of the only in Tennessee. There's a couple other ones. Some here, actually, I'm right outside of Nashville that they show. There's not very many people who go to state fairs, so we're just now starting to get popular at the state fairs. Like we had one, a couple, like we've had this month, we have three in three different states.

We just travel. Yeah. Well, Highlands, I only know this because of what you've told me, but they're suited for the cold, right? I mean, is that why we don't really see a lot of them this far south? I would say so, yeah. Yeah. Well, what's going on right now? Why are people maybe fighting the heat and trying to make it work with Highlands here? I think just to get our breed out there and show that they are capable of living in the heat, you know, we take good care of them. We have expensive, high-quality fans that will keep air growing on them. We keep electrolytes to them. And like I said, we keep mineral tubes out there so the way that their body has all the minerals that they need to be able to thrive in the heat. Almost like an electrolyte drink or something. Wow. Well, um... Sarah, what, is this just for fun? Like, what are people do? What got you into Scottish Highlands? Yeah, so my husband and I have been married for 15 years. And on our eighth anniversary, we looked out at a pasture we were mowing. And we said, why are we mowing this thing? So we gave each other Highlands for our anniversary present. And it was more like a whim, like, let's try this out. We can look at them. They'll be fun. The same reason everyone gets into Highlands, they're cute. I mean, they're so cute. They're so cute. It was like national news when the Nashville Zoo had a little Highland calf. I assume it's still there. But yes, they're very cute. They're so cute. So we said, let's do it. And as you get into them, you realize there's so much more than a cute cow. They really are. Great quality beef. They're easy to work with. They're good for your land. They eat the widest range of foliage out there. So most beef cattle will mainly graze and grass. They'll go in the woods and do underbrush and all kinds of things. So yeah, that's what we got in is because we give them to each other as an anniversary gift. And it started as a mom and a calf pair. And as we've grown, we're now up to almost 15 highlands. And we're showing with Maddie. We're buying the heat tubs. We got the t-shirts. All my friends keep giving me that say, you know, not today, heifer. You know, so we're in. Well, okay. So, Maddie, I'm amazed at what you have described to me about the other ways you can make money off Highlands that's not, you know, slaughtering them. So, like, why are they, what's going on? What is this moment Scottish Highlands are having? It's huge. People all across the world, they want them. But I think some people realize, you know, like our city people like that live here, you know, in Nashville. They don't have, yeah, they don't have the, some people don't have the land for it, but they want to be around them. Some people don't want the work that comes with them. So they say, hey, let's go see somebody else that's got them and we'll pay them money. to see their cows. I think that a lot of people realize now that people are starting to put out how much work it takes to own them, people don't want to do that so they pay other people to come visit their cows. Well, I mean, you were showing me pictures on your phone of a baby. Well, you just tell it. What are these pictures of, you know, a Scottish Highland licking a baby's head? Yeah, it's popular right now. So what's coming to take? Baby?

Photos? Baby photos. Here just a few months ago, I had a six-month-old sit in a basket with my cow licking her head, and people thought it was the cutest thing ever, and it brings a lot of attention to the Highlands. Well, and what about this wedding you're headed to? Yeah, so this spring, I've had somebody contact me to come to Georgia, which is anywhere from a four to six-hour drive from my place to... sit there for their cocktail hour at their wedding and just hang out with the cows. And they're going to, they're paying quite a bit of money for me to come sit there. And just so they could be there, people will pet them? Yeah, people will pet them, take pictures. whatever, pretty much whatever they want to do. You too could have Maddie Meneer and her Scottish Highlands at your wedding for a pretty penny. I'm Blake Farmer. This is Nashville. We are talking to Maddie Meneer and Sarah Fast about the Scottish Highland cows, and they now have their own show at the state fair, which gets started tomorrow. All right, so Sarah, how do you prep these... long-haired creatures for a show. So I call Maddie on the phone and say, when will you come over? Yes. And blow dry. But I actually, she is my advisor. And she tells me what to do. But we've been working with local high schoolers at our Watertown High School with FFA. And they want to have experience with these cows. So they will come out. We'll wash them and blow dry their hair. Blow dry. Blow dry. And then Maddie has, she has a whole system where they clip them to try to accentuate the parts of a cow that you need to look bigger or smaller. And then there's hair sprays. No, there's not. There's lots of things. Are you styling the hair, Maddie? What are you trying to do? She's a stylist. I do. I'm learning to style cow hair. Yeah. So they make tail adhesive. It's literally for Cow Dan Sullivan Supply and Weaver. They're literally brands that make cow hair products. Oh my gosh. So we don't blow dry our own hair, but we blow dry a cow. Yeah. So, Maddie, what is it that you're trying to show off for the judge? Is that the right word for them? A judge is standing in the middle of the ring, right? And everybody's walking there, Scottish Highland, around them. And what are you trying to get to show off? You want to have the best built animal in there. Structure is a really big thing, you know. They track. Their tracking is very important. That's how their feet go. Yeah. You want their back feet to hit exactly where their front feet left. And you just want, I mean, you want to have the most balanced heifer or bull steer, whatever it is. You want to have the most balanced, well-performing animal in the ring. By balance, she means not too small at front and too big out. Everything needs to be a full package. But is that just pure genetics?

Some people, we have a friend who love genetics, and genetics has a big part to do with it, but sometimes you just have a cow that comes out that has the it factor. And from the moment it's born, you just, you love it a little more. And some cows just have the it factor. Who are you showing this year? So I am showing a bull calf named Forrest, and his dad's actually from Germany. So he comes from some imported lines, which is very exciting. And then we have a steer, which is a fixed bull calf. And his name is Flash. I have a five-year-old and a two-year-old, and they will be showing him. So he's supposed to be our kid-friendly one. A two-year-old is going to show? Yeah, she's very confident. Wow. Maddie, who are you showing? I'm showing a bull that I have from a farm in East Tennessee called Noble Bear. His name is Sir Mackell of Noble Bear. Sir Macal. Yeah. And I have a heifer that is Lady Natalia of Noble Bear. And they have been my two that I've been running with since this time last year. I'll be showing those two for sure, maybe bring a couple extras in. I got a steer. His name's Gunsmoke. I might bring him in. It just depends on who we end up deciding to bring. My stepmom changes things up on me sometimes, and she wants to bring a couple extra. So you never know what we're going to show up with. So are these animals pure, like, show animals? Or they might very well be slaughtered this year or something. Or they, yeah, what's the plan for the animals? Or does it just depend? Um, it all just depends. I mean, a bull or a heifer could take the wrong turn. Um, something could happen and you end up having to slaughter them. Um, you know, if something happens with one of our heifers and she turns out to be just not built right, we, you know, we will take the next step into what is the next step in her future. Um, but as far as my show calves go, they're both about to turn two. So they're pretty well, I mean, show. Show career is coming to an end this January, this upcoming January, and they'll go out to breed. My heifer will. Once they get older, is it because they're too big and you have smaller, you want to have a smaller cow in there, or it's not about size? It's not necessarily about size because all the animals that you show are different. I've got a bull right now, and he's going against bulls that are huge compared to him. But I would say that it's just because once they get to a certain age, it's time for them to go do their job. And the shows will only, you can only show a heifer up to a certain age. But then you can bring her back as a cow calf. So she could come back with a calf later on as an adult. Almost like a pair. Yes. Well, so obviously these cows. Sound like they might be worth more alive than as beef. But Sarah, apparently the beef is quite good, though I've never had it. What's so good about it? So it is a lean form of beef. And as I've said earlier, they have a lot of omega-3s in it, and it's low, fat, high protein. So it's just really people like it. It's a very slow-growing beef. So most beef in the industry.

you will process a lot younger. With highlands, you have to wait almost a year longer before you can process a highland. Is there anything that explains why it would be more lean? It is because they have the hair. They have all the hair on them and insulates their body, so they don't need as much fat to keep them insulated during the cold and the... Makes a ton of sense. Like, if you wanted to buy... Scottish Highlands beef, where would one even go here in Tennessee? There are quite a few places that do process them. Obviously, they're not eating a lot of show cows. There's a little bit of a different path that a highland can take. But there is actually a local place in Mount Juliet called Breeden's Orchard, and they have a lot of farm days and stuff, and they also sell their own Highland beef. And then I know there's places all around the country that will even ship out Highland Beef. Maddie, tell me what the deal is with miniature highlands. So us as registered breeders do not agree with the miniature side of things. Oh boy, I didn't realize I was stepping under this. It's not something that we agree with. We don't like not talk to the people. We're not rude because that they have miniatures. You know, if you want miniatures, you can have miniatures. How small are you talking about? Depends on how ethical you want to be. Oh, yikes. They get pretty small. There's a few. You're talking about a Labrador kind of size? I've seen them come through the cell barn that are. I mean, I don't know the exact age on those, but yeah, they come through and they're tiny. Sometimes, like, they can come out and... you know, when they're born, they can have, like, problems. Like, it's not always the healthiest option for the animal. Well, not to bring up other source subjects, but Sarah, you did have an incident with the Highland. What happened? So I was loading a Highland cow to move to our farm, and I... I made a horse decision on a cow, which meant I can just run in front of this cow and it'll go this way. And cows don't do that. A horse decision on a cow. Yes. And so she ran through me in a panel and I got a cow horn to my face, ended up here in Vanderbilt Hospital on Mother's Day with fractures all in my face. two hours worth of stitches. But it's been a miracle. It could have been so much worse than it was. But it definitely changed a few ways that we operate our cattle and a few ways would we move them now. Well, thank you for getting us up to speed on the Scottish Highland breed. Sarah Fast and Maddie Meneer really appreciate your time today. Thank you. And I think the Scottish Highland show is August 18th at 6 p.m. So next Tuesday evening at the state fair. So if you want to come prepare for cuteness. The juniors start at 4 p.m. Juniors at 4. Everybody else at 6. All right. We'll see it. Up next, the fair is not just a place to hear, you know.

local bluegrass music or something. Big time acts play at state and county fairs all over the country. And of course, one Nashville agency has an entire fair booking division. We'll talk with an old pro about the fair circuit. Stay with us. This is Nashville. Way back in 1952, the bronze mercury statue atop Union Station took a tumble. There's been a replacement up there for the past 30 years, and that prompted the question, The original. I'm wondering where it could be. Curious Nashville chases down the old bronze with some twists and turns along the way. Learn more and ask your question at WPLN.org forward slash curious. I'm Blake Farmer, and this is Nashville. You know, there are some big-time acts that make the rounds to state fairs. Playing big fairs is a huge opportunity for artists who've been around a while and those who are still on their way up.

That's Riley Green at the Delaware State Fair last year, looking for the Cowboys up in that state. He's also at the Iowa State Fair this year. So is Laney Wilson. It's not just country artists on this circuit, though. There's also Salton Peppa, TLC, Stained, Huba Stank, all out on the Fair Circuit this year. We've got the guy who's responsible for many bookings on the Fair Circuit. Yes, it is a circuit. Lance Alleman is with William Morris Endeavor based here in Nashville. Welcome to the show. Thank you very much for having me. We're streaming video at YouTube.com slash at WPLN if you care to watch today. Well, as a booking guy in the music industry here in Nashville, how'd you get into fairs? You know what? I actually started my career in L.A. in our Beverly Hills office. William Morris. Yeah, way back in the day. And did TV talent back then, but then just was always raised on country music. 90s country is my favorite. And, you know, William Morris had a Nashville office. And so I transferred back in 2007 and then quickly got into the fair department. So I've been in the fair department for almost 20 years now. There's a fair... There is a fair department, yes. Well, is playing fairs something artists want to do? For the most part, yes. The majority of our country artists definitely want to play fairs. They're... For the most part, you know, they're bigger money kind of anchor dates that we can route around other, you know, hard ticket dates or whatever the case may be. Wait, they're bigger money. For the most part, yes, it is bigger money. Explain that. I'm not sure. I sort of thought, oh, this is maybe fairs or something to fill out the calendar. Sure. Well, and that is the case too. But, you know, definitely you have capacities that are somewhat unlimited, you know, with an outdoor show. Right. And a lot of it is government funded. So, you know, I have a lot of affairs where, you know, the counties are pretty wealthy and they want to give back to their residents. It's almost like putting on, let's say the Fourth of July show here in Nashville where it's like they might have some big names. Nobody paid a thing to get into that. But it's sort of like the city saying we're throwing a party. Exactly. Yes. So a lot of counties will, you know, give good money to their fairs just to bring the community together and just, you know, it being a bonding experience and making memories. And it's, you know, for a lot of these towns, it's good tourism. And instead of, it's like for the artist or whoever I guess is behind them, they're not taking much of a risk on this show. Correct, because, you know, there are more and more fairs that are going to...

you know, hard ticket where they, you know, you have to pay a fair admission, but then you also have to pay a concert admission for the actual concert. Yeah, when I was looking through Iowa State Fair, it was like, yeah, all those, you pay extra to go to that show. But there are still a lot out there that are, you know, free shows with the fair admission. So you pay $10 and you get to go to all of the activities throughout the day, you know, the carnival rides, the games, all the food, all of that sort of thing. And then you get to see a show at night. So it's, It's very, like, sure, you know, you do spend some money once you're there on the rides and the games and the food and that sort of thing. But it's a very economic way for people to get entertainment these days. And the growth in fares and... You know, the popular, not everyone wants to play fairs, but the popularity in them, like, you know, the trend is going towards like more hip hop and rap and even like Latin artists. A lot more of those genres are wanting to play fairs. Would anything in particular explain that? Um... You know what? I think it's just that people, it's a safe play for the most part. And for the most part, it is, you know, a good payday. And just. just the camaraderie and and don't get me wrong like a lot of these fairs are not glamorous you know some artists do not want to play fairs for that reason uh because you know their trucks and buses get bogged down in the mud and you know if there's bad weather that sort of thing so there's definitely challenges but um i feel like it just it goes back to the fabric of all of us kind of growing up i don't i grew up going to small town fairs and festivals, you know, growing up. And those are some of my core great memories and kind of shaped the music that I love today and the artists that I love and that sort of thing. And just kind of having that intimate one-on-one experience with artists that, you know, a lot of these small towns don't get to experience. You know, they don't get the big concerts or that sort of thing. Who do you remember seeing? at like a small town fair growing up. I mean, I remember, gosh, I'm trying to, I mean, Reba and, you know, would play fairs when I was growing up. And she would always play the Houston rodeo. Yeah. Or, you know, like Clint Black or, you know, like Clint Black's still doing it. He's like the Texas State Fair, I think, in a few weeks. Yeah. So, I mean, I, you know, I book over 300 fairs per year. And so, you know, And in my department, you know, we booked probably over a thousand dates for fairs per year. So, you know, you have all of those artists that are, you know, wanting the opportunity to play those dates. Well, what does some fairs like, you know, Iowa or Texas have these huge lineups and others not make it a priority? Is it just like...

bigger budgets? Yeah, it really just depends on kind of government funding and who exactly, you know, some fairs aren't funded by government. Some fairs are funded by private donors or sponsors or whatever the case may be. So it really just depends on who's funding it, you know, regarding their budget. Obviously, the big state fairs, most of them get a lot of state funding. So that helps with the budget and, you know, to be able to bring in bigger artists and that sort of thing. Am I wrong? Just sort of like in poking around, I don't see huge bills on like the Tennessee State Fair country or county fairs. What's going on there? You know what? You know, I've booked several fairs here in Tennessee. Tennessee State Fair. has they've tried to have talent in the past a lot of with being it specific to nashville artists know how they want to play the nashville market oh so a lot of artists don't want to play the nashville market at a fair or some artists i shouldn't speak what you want to like put your best foot forward kind of thing yeah exactly like management you know managers have an artist have their ideal play in Nashville because this is kind of, you know, this is the center of their world. And they wanted to be a special play. And sometimes playing the fair is not the best play for this market. That's interesting. And yet you'll see Zach Top playing in Valparaiso, Indiana. Yeah. Yeah. How interesting. You're teaching us a lot right here. This is Nashville and Blake Farmer with Lance Alleman of William Morris Endeavor, the Fair Booking Department. So what's the market like this year? I know the kind of headline for folks who've just followed it casually is that touring is kind of in a little bit of a lull. What about fares? Yeah, I mean, you know, every year. We hear pushback from our buyers like, oh, prices are getting outrageous or, you know, whatever the case may be. Buyers are the state fair. Correct. Correct. Yes. And, you know, it really just depends on kind of what market you're in, who you ask. Like some do great. Some don't do so well. But that's pretty much the entire concert industry right now where, you know, the COVID bubble has kind of burst. Everyone after COVID was so excited. to get back out and buy tickets and go to shows and spend money. And, you know, we had great... you know, success for a few years after COVID. But that's, you know, with the economy and inflation and that sort of thing, people are definitely looking at where they're spending their money. And so, sure, some concerts are doing great and some aren't doing so great. So it's all very cyclical. And we're kind of in that cyclical point where, you know, there's kind of a downturn. But at the same time, you know, the fares that are free.

you know, with a fair admission and you can bring your whole family for $50 or whatever and go see entertainers and go see these big X, you know, for the most part, they're pretty healthy. Yeah. Who's got the best deal around? Should we be traveling to a fair out of state? Sure. Any recommendations? I'm trying to think of my favorite, I mean, the Wilson County Fair that we talked about. They always have done a great job in Lebanon. And, you know, I've been to the Wisconsin State Fair. I've been to a lot of the state fairs. And they all do, I mean, a pretty great job, taking care of the artists and giving the fans what they want. How far out are you all booking? Oh, we're booking well into summer 2027 right now. Okay. So you're working on next summer's fairs. Next summer, yep. So we, every year, we feel like it gets earlier and earlier because there's so much competition in these markets, especially like in the Midwest. There's so many fairs and so many festivals and they're all competing for, you know, the audience and that sort of thing. So. You know, it's definitely very competitive. So they're starting earlier and earlier every year. Like, you know, we were starting to get our first headline offers for summer 2027, you know, back in like March. Really? What's the seasonality there of, you know, I could, it sort of seems like you see people having state fairs further north earlier in the summer. And then is it kind of following the almost the beginning of fall or something? Sure. Really just depends. A lot of them, you know, it's based on whatever they've done in the past. They don't like to change time periods if for the past 50 years, it's been a certain weekend every part of the year. They want to make that, you know, keep that consistent not to confuse people. And it's something that people look forward to every year and have it on their calendar. It's like, oh, we can't wait to go to the state fair this year. And we know when it's going to be. next year. Yeah. Are these challenging shows to play? Because I can imagine, especially like if somebody didn't buy a ticket, you got a lot of people who might not even be fans, but happen to be at the show. How do artists feel about that? Yeah, I mean, I think the fans are, no matter what, they're pretty engaged. And, you know, they're there having fun throughout the day, riding the rides, playing the games like we talked about, and eating all the good food and that sort of thing. And everyone's just in a great mood. And I don't think it really even, a lot of times it doesn't even matter who's playing. They're just, you know, excited to be there and the atmosphere. They got the vibes. Exactly. Well, is this more, though, an opportunity for artists to reach a new audience or for like a more experienced artist, let's say, to, you know, fill the calendar? I, you know, I've heard so many stories about. people finding new artists at fairs. Like they go to the fair just to go to the fair. They don't even know who's playing sometimes. And they've come back to me and said, oh my gosh, I saw this artist or that artist and now I'm like a huge fan. So I think it's, you know, the intention is to go to the fair and have fun. And then I think a lot of people sometimes leave with a lot more than they thought that they were going to get because they're like, oh, I have a new favorite artist now.

Well, are you making an out to any other concerts you've booked this year? You know what? Trying to. We'll see. Busy working on next summer. Yeah, exactly. We're full steam ahead for next summer. Well, Lance Solomon is a veteran booking agent with William Morris Endeavor who specializes in the Fair Circuit nationwide. Thank you so much for joining the show. Thank you. When we come back, the fairest of the fair, the friedest of the fried beauty pageants and battered pecan pie. what you'll find only at the fair. Stay with us. This is Nashville. I'm Blake Farmer, and this is Nashville. I'm Blake Farmer, and this is Nashville. Well, there's still at least one place where you can get it all. Pig races. Rooster crowing competitions, a redhead contest. The state fair is keeping the mom calling contest alive. It's where kids take the stage and just call out for mom. Mom.

Can I go outside? I think it's more like mom saying, go outside. So that's the mom calling competition from a couple of years ago at the Wilson County Fair, which is the state fair. Joining us to talk about, though, all... the kinds of fun that you can only have at a fair are Tashani Brooks and Amy Ashby. Tashani was the 2025 queen of the Dixon County Fair. Welcome to This is Nashville. Thank you. And for only our video audience would know that we're sashed, we're crowned right here in the studio. Yes, we are. You can watch at YouTube.com slash at WPLN. Amy is just the pageant director, the lowly pageant director, no crown on that head. But welcome to this is Nashville. Thank you. She dishes out the crowns, though. And then on the line, we've got David LaGrange of D&L concessions calling in from the Wilson County Fair where they fry all manner of messy things. Thanks for taking a break from the friar. Thank you for having us. Well, are you, and I guess in my mind, I actually do picture that y'all are prepping for day one. What are you all getting ready? Just getting all the food together and making sure we have all the supplies to supply the people with the deep fried foods that we serve. Well, I'm curious, since we're talking about competitions at the same time here, do you ever take a break and go oversee the competitions? And if so, what do you make sure you're going to see? Unfortunately, we are usually stuck at the trailer. We don't get to get around the fair with the business going on. Well, and this makes total sense. So to Shani... How long have you been competing in the Dixon fairest of the fair? I assume this was not a one-year thing you jumped into last year. So no, it was not. I consider myself to be a late bloomer, though, when it comes to pageantry. I started at 13. So we have 13 to 15, which is the teen, and then Miss is 16 to 20. And so I... One, when I was 17, I'm 18 now, so this will be my, like, fifth year. This would have been my fifth year of pageantry. Would have been, meaning you're not doing it. No, no, just not. I can't do the fair pageant anymore. Oh, but you've aged out. I've aged out. Wow. Well, take the ride as far as it'll take you, though, you know. Amy, how is this different from a typical beauty pageant, the fair pageants? I feel it's a tradition for a lot of the... Tennessee fairs. I think it's great because it happens year after year. And at the point in Dixon, like I have seen people be crowned and then their mother was crowned also fairs to the fair. You're saying in the same year, like just in different ages? No, different ages. Like we've had it, I researched it back and I've got the queens named all the way back to 1969. 1969. So what are the age groups that you all have competing?

All the way through from zero to 23 months is our tiny. And then 24 to 48 months, Mr. and Miss is up the petite. And Little Miss is four to six. You're saying you have toddlers. We have toddlers, the babies. It's precious. Yes. Wow. And all the way up through, do you have one of those senior competitions? I do. I am trying to get ladies 60 and up to start that pageant back. We had it several years ago. So this year I am trying to get the. Still trying. It's still a. question mark yes we have registration this weekend so if there's any ladies out there 60 and up come see us in dixon county this weekend and register to be miss senior does one have to be a resident of dixon county to participate all of our uh the senior miss you do not have to be a resident of dixon county now all of our other age divisions you do have to be a resident of dixon county i see what do participants get out of this is this um You know, is it just for fun? Is it, I don't know. Yeah, is there something that they gain from, you know, going out and putting on a pageant? Yes. In our hometown, yes, the way that we do our pageant, we have a Giving Heart Award. And the Giving Heart Award, we raise different things. We collect different things like hygiene products, diapers and baby wipes, laundry detergent, all these things. It goes back into our community. And we also have a People's Choice Award so people can go in and vote a dollar for their favorite contestant. And last year, we raised over $22,000 for our Dixon County schools. Oh, my goodness. 22,000. So there's fundraising and. gathering of supplies that are donated to local non-profits, that kind of a thing. Yes, and we go to the local schools, the Queens read to the students at the schools, we go to the local parades, we help at all community events. So we're very involved in the community if they are crowned Ms. Dixon or Miss People's Choice, they get to do that, or giving heart. They get to go participate in all the community events. Well, to Shawnee, as I'm hopping over here to David at the friar, I'm wondering, do... Do you all ever make it out to the midway with the food? And is there a fried delicacy that you must have when you were at the fair? Absolutely. I love it. But I'm trying to pick which one. I think last year I remember, I was running around, and I had my crowned in session. I mean, I had just one. Tears in my eyes, make up a mess. And then I ran and got a funnel cake. And it was great. But I don't, I know that he's an expert, and we fried things that are not traditionally fried. Yes. The funnel cake, though, is hard to beat, to be honest. Although I don't understand. David, maybe you can explain. Why it is that we eat, these fried foods are the things we choose when it's so stinking hot outside. But maybe you can explain. What is the appeal? Are people just drawn to the smell that's coming from your batter frying in the grease?

the smell, the look of it, and just being weird stuff. You don't get it all the time like a deep fried cookie. You don't get that all the time. You really don't. You really don't. So what are you all thinking about doing this year? Because it seems like with what you do, you're always looking for something new and weird and see if it sticks. Yeah, we're looking at one new item. We haven't decided if we're going to do it this year. But usually we try to put a few new items on every now and end to help. But our basic items like our deep fried peanut butter and jelly sell real good. We also do the deep fried Oreos and deep fried oatmeal pies that sell real good. All right, so explain a deep fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I'm just trying to, yeah, how does that work? Okay, it's basically like what you make at home. We took two pieces of light bread, and we put peanut butter on both sides, a little grape jelly in the middle, and then we've got a sweet butter that we've come up with, and we dip it in it and drop it in the fire and serve it to you. It's like a fresh, real fresh, creamy dessert. A creamy dessert? Wait, what's making it creamy? The peanut butter and jelly is it heats up in the friar. When you cut into it after it's fried, it's a real smooth, creamy. People say it's like a coffee cake kind of. Bill when you get it. Sounds like it must be tried to be understood. So are you, what you're testing out to decide if you're going to deliver it at the state fair when it gets going this week, are you not going to give us a hint at maybe what could be cooking? No, sir. We like to keep it a secret. That way we have one new surprise. I see. It worked out. You got to come out and check it out. Well, do you have a strong opinion? These things, and I don't know why I think of Iowa, but it's where I feel like I've seen it, where they, like deep fried stick of butter or something. Like, do you have an opinion there? We don't do it, but I've seen it. It looks good. Does it? I wouldn't drag because that's just all. What you're getting is a meal that butter's put in. If it's not froze good, you're getting butter-flavored flour in what you're getting. But if it's done right and froze good, you do bite into a thing of butter. Yeah. Well, you know, you're making me want to think about other things than the grease that happens inside of me. Tashani, talk to me about competing in the pageant. What all is expected of the competitors? I can speak to what happens in Dixon. I know like I went to, after I won this year, we went, we had a state pageant. So all of the fairs around Tennessee all come and do one pageant. And so. And it's really just the fair circuit, you're saying. Yes, it's just fair pageants. And so it's.

It's evolved over the years. You know, some people, I know that Miss Amy, she said when she competed that it used to be outside and there was swimsuit, but now I think what we focus most on is like the heart of the girl that's going to win. And like what she said about all of the things we get to do with our platforms, like we. have the opportunity to reach so many people in our hometown. And so our pageant is really based on like who you are on the inside, not like the crown you were on your head. And like if you, who you're, the impact you're going to leave on the people that you're around. And so like competing is very fun. You get to meet many different girls. You get to have an experience once a year. I kept doing it over and over and over again. But truly. I think that the judges really do look for someone who's going to represent the county in the best, the best way, the best fashion. So is this, Amy, is this the fairest of the fair. Is that kind of the state competition that like if you have a fairest of the fair at your county fair, then you are competing against them later in the year? Yes, they get to all go meet at state, and we have that at Murphesboro in January. In January. So they get all the queens from the different fairs get to go and meet, and they have the best time I've seen. you know, friendships develop. A lot of my queens have ended up going to the same school with them and things like that. So they have a really, they have a good time. And they pick, they only take one state winner. Dixon County did win that for the first time three years ago for Ms. Nadia Buchanan. She's Tennessee Titan cheerleader now. Is that right? Shout out to Ms. Nadia. She's wonderful. Yes, so she won state. And it was wonderful to go, it's wonderful to go with the girls and get ready for state. Yeah. Well, is this something that, it sounds like it has evolved over time. For instance, Amy, you were saying, or I guess Toshana, you were saying that the swimsuit competition is out now. What are the other ways it's evolved, maybe to get with the times? I think, you know, that the interview process has been a big thing that they have upped the interview process. When they go to state, now, in our local division, I do an outfit of choice, and that's just kind of fun, break the ice, have it open. number with them before they go into their evening gown competition and they have an interview. But when they go to state, they have their interview process with the judges and then they have evening gown. I'm trying to imagine this. You're saying the interview as in kind of answering questions standing there on stage. They do. Well, they do. Yes. When what I do with my contestants and Dixon is I do an online, I do a live interview on stage with them. And so that's pretty cool because they have to pick from different topics. And I think that lets the judges really know their inner beauty and how they feel about the community. And I started that. And it's went over well. When they go to state, they do. After they pick the top 10, they do ask them a question at state, an on-stage question that they have no idea what they're going to ask them. Yeah. Deshaunee, I mean, obviously we're doing a live interview right now. So, you know, not the first time for you. So I wonder what?

What is it about that that actually could be very useful to you no matter what you're going forward to doing? Oh, absolutely. So like pageantry, you know, you start at 13. If you're not raised by people who make you talk to adults, it is very hard as a teenager to communicate and to communicate effectively. And so I'm going to college in the fall and pageants, people really do expect. for you to have if you have a crown on your head or you know you seem like a pageant girl that you won't be able to speak well or be able to communicate with people and so i think that in interviews it's allowed me to like um even for job interviews i've had an interview for college things like that it allows me to be able to do that with confidence because of the processes that i've had to go through at state and at the hometown pageants. Well, David LaGrange, I'm curious for you, you know, frying things over there at the State Fair. Is there a history to the fried things that you have looked at, like why it is that one of the things we do at the State Fair is fry peculiar items? Well, it comes down to you fry it and you look at it and you say, is this good if somebody going to want to eat this? And most times if we don't like it, we won't sell it. Yeah, that's why you test it yourself. Yeah. But why did this get going? Maybe it's just been with us so long. We don't think about it? Yeah. For us, we got into it to help have extra money for our kids when they were growing up. Really? Is it still kind of a side project, or has this become what you all do? For us, this is part-time. We just do a few events a year. Really? So what is the ramp up for you all? Is this like you're there every night, every day the fair is open, and you're just frying all day long in the heat? Yes, sir. How do you prep for that? You do the best you can. You estimate on whatever you need to have in, and hopefully you don't sell out. If you sell out, you just have to put it sold out, and hopefully people understand. I love watching the people eating the food, getting the conversation we have with them as they come through the window. Love that. Well, if you're watching on the YouTube stream, chime in along with Greg Harvey, who's writing, I guess it was about our last segment. Greg says he played trumpet in the all Ohio State Fair band for three summers, marched in a daily parade, played two or three concerts a day. One summer, claim to fame, opened for Belinda Carlyle. I don't know Belinda Carlisle. Is it related to Brandy Carlisle? That's what Carlisle I'm thinking of. Well, Greg, thanks for sharing that. Others can chime in there at the YouTube stream. I am curious for you to Shawnee, like to you, obviously you've spent a lot of time around fairs. For those who don't go much, what are the things you must do or see when you're at the Dixon County Fair?

You definitely have to go into the 4-H building. I love 4-H. So you have to go see all the crafts, and they go up from, I mean, fourth grade when they start up until high school. You have to go visit that. I would definitely say, come watch a pageant. Like, it's so fun. It's not necessarily what you expect. And then go get some food because you have to get some good food. We don't have the pleasure of having all the crazy fried food, but go get some good food. That would be what I would do. Amy, what are you, what's your not to be missed at the Dixon County Fair? Oh, gosh. I think exactly what Tashani said. I'd love for them to see the pageants and how the girls gain their confidence and self-esteem to get. up in front of everyone and introduce themselves. And then the rides, and it's just the hometown feel. You just see everybody that you haven't seen in a very long time. The food is amazing. You just smell it as soon as you walk in. I don't care if you went and ate, and then you get there and you smell it, and you're like, okay, I'm hungry again. It's just, it's great. I think it just keeps the small town feel. I think fairs in every little community just keeps that hometown feel that we just know and loved and we don't want to go away. Well, does it feel like it's going away? It doesn't for me. It doesn't for me because the fair just brings back memories. It's just like a lot of the people, you know, it's just a hometown tradition to go to the fair and have a good time and the rides and the food and the fellowship and things like that. And I see that. I've even visited a lot of the other fairs. My granddaughter loved to go into the Wilson County Fair. I didn't have anybody with her, so I had to do all the rides. And so she still remembers me screaming all the way down the slides. Well, Tashon, do you think that a new generation will keep up fair attendance? Again, I mean, I think it kind of ebbs and flows in terms of attendance, but the state fair ended up moving out to Wilson County because it wasn't being as well attended as the Wilson County Fair, and I don't know how Dixon's numbers are. But, like, yeah, do you think it has staying power in this modern time? I definitely do. I really hope that it... that we preserve that part of our hometown. I think that Dixon's really good about we're very growing where you're planted type of community and we have kept that. So I hope that we stay close in it. And I hope that my generation, us Gen Ziers, we stay, you know, staying at the fair. It's so much fun. Well, to Shawnee Brooks will be leading the charge. She is the reigning queen of the Dixon County Fair. And we've got Amy Ashby, who is the Dixon County pageant director. Thanks so much for joining us. Thank you so much for having us. And thank you to David Lagrange, the Fry King at the Wilson County State Fair. Appreciate you taking the time. Thank you for having us. You have a good day. And a note from producer Mary Mancini. Who doesn't know who Belinda Carlisle is? It's the go-go's lead singer. So listen, I... I don't know everything, folks. Thanks for tuning in this hour. I really appreciate you having fun with us as we...

Take a look at the fair. This is Nashville's a production of Nashville Public Radio. If you missed yesterday's show, it was jam-packed. We remembered philanthropist Martha Ingram, questioned Charlie Hatcher, who just upset Congressman Andy Ogles in the GOP primary, and met the Apostle of Tennessee who expanded the Catholic Church in Tennessee west of Nashville back in the 1800s. You can listen at This is Nashville.org. You can watch at the WPL and YouTube page. You know, you can also catch up on the show by asking a smart speaker to play the latest episode of this. This is Nashville. Give it a try. Today's episode produced by Mary Mancini, Live Lombardi, making us sound and look good. Tasha A.F. Limley is our managing editor. Their masterminds behind that theme music are Lorange and Namir Blade. What are your plans for fair season? Our voicemail is all ears. 615-7602,000 to leave us a message that you might hear on air. You can also direct messages on Instagram at This is Nashville underscore WPLN. I'm Blake Farmer. Go in peace.