As the summer months fast approach many young and old alike look forward to a DeKalb County tradition that has been taking place since before the War Between the States, the DeKalb County Fair, the Grandpa Fair of the South.
The fair has evolved over the years, transforming from an October celebration of agriculture and home crafts, to the more entertainment venue known today. Children come to ride the trilling contraptions along the midway, while older folks take in the various shows, displays, and special events.
While the demolition derby and tractor pull have been long favorites of the week-long event, the displays of crafts, farm goods, and canned items have also been a staple over the many years. But reigning over it all has always been the Fairest of the Fair.
The first Fairest of the Fair was crowned way back in 1938 when Gaynelle Brown (Willoughby), my grandmother, received the honor, but it was a much different affair in those days. Back then, the winner was simply chosen from the crowd in the grandstands. The winner was in charge of greeting visitors to the fair and served as an ambassador for the event.
As time went on, the Fairest of the Fair became more of an event with a pageant being held. Contestants wore an evening gown, walked the stage, and answered questions from judges. The winner would then be crowned with runners up being named.
Winners would then be entered into the state fairest of the fair pageant, where a bit more detail went into presentations. As the years went on there have been many representatives from DeKalb County represent the fair at the state level, but only one won the state pageant.
It was 60 years ago, in the summer of 1964, Ricki (Fredericka) Gail LaFever was chosen as DeKalb County's Fairest of the Fair, and represented DeKalb County in the state contest in January, 1965. That year, there were 54 other contestants from around Tennessee, and at the convention held in Nashville, she was crowned Tennessee's Fairest of the Fair, the only DeKalb County queen to win the state contest.
Ricki said she remembers the tension for those three days because they were told the judges would always be around watching. “Back then, the girls wore hats and gloves, and of course heels for the luncheons. It was a three-day affair. I remember the stage set up in front of all these tables with probably 100 people. It was a luncheon type event.”
Afterwards, she was told Hee Haw and Grand Ole Opry star Grandpa Jones was one of the judges, and she was asked to judge several county pageants that summer. She was also invited to attend the Nashville Civitan Club’s Day to honor eight girls with Tennessee's Queen titles.
Ricki was the daughter of Judge Billy J. LaFever and Violet LaFever. Her father served as DeKalb County Judge for 16 years and her mother was a banker with First National Bank. Ricki later graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a BS in Elementary Education and a MA from Western Kentucky University.
Today, Ricki lives in Hickory, North Carolina, where she has been married to Wayne Helton, of Nashville, for 56 years. She has three children with her daughter living in Lexington, Kentucky, and two boys in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has six grandchildren. Ricki taught 4th grade for 40 years, retiring in 2012.
Ricki said her heart will always be in Smithville and DeKalb County, and she will always have fond memories of the DeKalb County Fair.
This year’s DeKalb County Fair will run June 24th - 29th, with the midway opening earlier on June 21. The Fair pageants will begin Monday Night, June 24, starting at 6 pm for the Junior Fair Princess (13-16 years), with the Fairest of the Fair (17-20 years) following. Shortly after, the Miss Fair Queen (21 -54 years) pageant will be held.
