By Betty Gandee

Candy apples, apple pies, concerts, and events- it is almost that time again in Clay County, time for the Golden Delicious Apple Festival.

Everyone anticipates the parade on Saturday, September 15. With its many floats, fire trucks, and beautiful queens, it’s a grand experience for the children to line the streets of Clay and gather the candy and goodies tossed from the parade participants.

Before the parade and wonderful events, Clay County’s Queens must be chosen. The Clay County High School was filled with beautiful girls on Saturday, August 25,  all competing for one of the Apple Festival titles. From all over the great state of West Virginia, young ladies form all ages came out with amazing dresses and personalities to see if they could snatch up a 2018 queen title.

The day started early with the children’s pageant beginning at 10 a.m. From infants to twelve years old, these girls showed up to give it their all. In their beautiful gowns and shining personalities, they took the stage to compete for a crown. The winners of the children’s titles were:

0-11 months- Little Miss Golden Delicious Seedling: Elsie Smith

12-23 months- Miss Golden Delicious Seedling: Hadley McGlothlin

2-4 years old- Golden Delicious Blossom: Bella Cummings

5-7 years old- Little Miss Golden Delicious: Graycen McArdle

8-10 years old- Golden Delicious Pre-Teen Queen: Lakin Winebrenner

11-12 years old- Ms. Jr. Golden Delicious: Hannah Wayne.

Some other winners were Best Dressed- Jacqueline Carlson, Prettiest Hair-Lakin Winebrenner, Best Personality- Hadley McGlothlin, Most Beautiful-Carly Lane, Most Photogenic-Carly Lane, and Fan Favorite- Autumn Rapp.

As the morning pageants wrapped up, the ladies competing for the Teen, Ms, Miss, and Mrs. titles started to arrive. These ladies were busy rehearsing their opening number and getting ready for the fun filled night ahead. With the pageant starting at 6:30 p.m., they prepared for personal interview, cocktail, and evening gown.

The ladies walking away with the 2018 titles were:

Miss Clay County Delicious-Cheyenna Miller

1^st Runner Up-Anastasia Jones-Burdick

2^nd Runner Up- Kaelynn Ireland

Clay County Golden Delicious Teen- Ally Wodnicki

1^st Runner up- Natalie Donahew

2^nd Runner up- Cyerra Allen

Ms. Clay County Golden Delicious- Elizabeth Remias

Mrs. Golden Delicious Queen, Betty Gandee

1^st Runner Up- Jessica Hedrick

2^nd Runner Up- Stephanie Brown.

Some of the other winners were- Most Photogenic- Cheyenna Miller and Miss Congeniality- Jessica Hedrick.