Marble Tournament, Hay Bale contest also to take place this weekend

CELINA-The 2025 Clay County Miss Fairest of the Fair Beauty Pageant is set to kick off a “Very Vegas” Clay County Fair this weekend.

The event will be staged in the Entertainment Building at the fairgrounds here this Saturday, June 14 beginning at 2 p.m.

Early registration is now required on Friday, June 13, and it can be completed in person from 5-7 p.m., when rehearsal will also be held.

Online registration must also be completed by Friday at 7 p.m., and no late entries will be accepted.

The Fairest of the Fair category is for Clay County residents ages 16 through 21, and several other categories will be open for all ages, including Clay County residents over 60 years old who can compete for the title of Ms. Senior Clay County.

Reigning Fairest of the Fair Laney Haynes (pictured), who became the first local to earn a State Pageant Top 10 finish earlier this year, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the event.

Complete rules can be found in the fair book.

More information can also be obtained by calling Dorothy Forney at 931-243-3564 or Madeline West at 931-644-5102.

Marble tourney,

more Sat.-Mon.

The Clay County Fair Marble Tournament will also be held Saturday, the same day as the pageant, beginning at 10 a.m., and decorating hay bales for a judging contest will take place Saturday through Monday.

Additionally, craft, canning, and photo entries in both adult and youth divisions will be accepted in the Clay County Fair Exhibit Hall on Saturday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m., while baked goods, garden, and crop entries will be taken from 12-6 p.m. on Monday.

The marble tournament will be held inside the Walker/Garrett Marble Yard and feature the area’s native game of Rolley Hole. Registration for the two-man team competition begins at 9:30 a.m.

Decorating of hay bales may be done from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (June 14-16).

Entrants will have a chance to win monetary prizes, including $100 for first place, $50 for second, and $25 for third.

Special prizes in the amount of $25 will also be awarded for Best Use of Theme and People’s Choice, which will be decided by votes cast by attendees using a sign-displayed QR code near the bales.  One vote per guest is permitted.

Judging for the top three places will occur Tuesday, June 17, and a limited supply of round hay bales will be provided and randomly assigned.  Competitors can also choose to bring their own bales.  Only single rolls are permitted, and no layering is allowed.

The Exhibit Hall is offering competitions for all ages to submit entries, and ribbons and cash prizes will be up for grabs.

A wide array of talented people, ranging from seamstresses to country cooks and anyone in between, are invited to take part, and entries from all generations will be on display for public viewing throughout the fair.

An incentive to encourage multiple entries from competitors is also being offered in both the adult and youth divisions.

Besides the reward for the most entries, cash prizes will also be awarded to first, second, and third place in all categories.

For more information about the marble tournament, contact Brian Cherry at 931-397-4400; hay bale decorating, contact Rayne Smith at 931-397-0090; or exhibit entry, contact Haley Barnes at 931-243-2311.

Details on all three events can also be found in the 2025 Clay County Fair Book, along with much more information about the upcoming fair.

A full schedule for the first two days can also be found on page 6 of this week’s HORIZON.

Also visit the Clay County Fair Facebook page for details.