Isle of Wight County Fair brings home state, national honors
Published 5:47 pm Friday, February 14, 2025
- VAF1 - Representatives from the Isle of Wight County Fair committee and pageant, front row from left, are Teen Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Lana Janas, Miss Isle of Wight County Blair Dickens, Junior Miss Isle of Wight County Fair Adriauna Pena and 2024 Fair Committee Chairman Danny Byrum; second row, from left, are Pageant Assistant Director Janette Jeffrey, Pena’s mother Kristina Sage and pageant co-director and recreation manager Regine Walem-Edwards; third row, from left, are admissions chairwoman Lauren Bradshaw, agriculture education chairwoman and second vice chairwoman Theresa Woodall and agriculture chairwoman and vice chairwoman Michelle Billups; fourth row, from left, are Parks and Grounds Supervisor Larry Noel, Fair/Events Coordinator and pageant Co-Director Jenilee Hallman, heritage tent vice chairwoman and admissions vice chairwoman Shannon Gavin and commercial/nonprofit vendors chairwoman Jennifer Bracy; fifth row, from left, are Janas’ mother, Laura Janas, pageant committee member Josh Hallman and Dickens’ mother, Tina Dickens. (Submitted photo)
Isle of Wight County Fair representatives attended the International Association of Fairs & Expos Convention, held Nov. 30 through Dec. 4 in Phoenix, Arizona, and returned with two third-place awards in the categories of “online advertisement” and “agriculture individual photo – rodeo.”
The IAFE is composed of more than 1,100 fairs around the world and more than 900 members from allied fields.
Isle of Wight County Fair representatives also attended the Virginia Association of Fairs Conference, held Jan. 2-5 at the Williamsburg Lodge and returned with the following awards:
Best in Class overall:
- photo essay board
First Place:
- website
- theme
- promotional item
- photo essay board
Second Place:
- poster/flyer
- newsletter
- premium book/catalog
- pageant scrapbook
Third Place:
- magazine/newspaper
- pageant program
Fair Coordinator Jenilee Hallman was nominated for the Virginia Association of Fairs Board of Directors and will begin her second three-year term this year.
Keegan Shannon, 2022 Teen Miss Isle of Wight County Fair, volunteer and Future Farmers of America member, placed second in the Virginia Association of Fairs Youth Leadership Contest, winning a $2,000 scholarship. She’s earned $3,000 to date in scholarships from the VAF since 2023.
In December, eligible youth submitted a contest packet including a letter of reference from their respective fairs, a resume and an essay. On Jan. 4, participants gave a digital presentation on a pre-assigned topic and rotated through a series of three additional contest components: an interview, a prepared speech and an extemporaneous speech.
Recipients have until their 23rd birthday to claim their scholarships. Contest information is uploaded each September to the Virginia Association of Fairs website at https://www.vafairs.us/ and due the first Friday in December. For information about the contest, contact your local VAF member fair or festival. The 2026 VAF Conference is set for Jan. 8-10 at the Williamsburg Lodge.
The Virginia Association of Fairs serves over 70 association members of fairs and festivals and related industries across the state through representation, education, information and direction which will enhance their productivity, economic viability and administrative capability.
