TENNESSEEASSOCIATION

OF FAIRS“Your Time Makes A Difference”

NINETY-THIRDANNUAL CONVENTION

JANUARY 22nd - 24th, 2015 SHERATON MUSIC CITY

Tennessee Association of FairsOfficers

Debbie Bradshaw-Hart ............................................................................ PresidentRuthie Jeans ....................................................................... V.P. Middle TennesseeBrenda Pierce-Williams ..........................................................V.P. East TennesseeShelly Stricklin....................................................................... V.P. West TennesseeEmily Pitcock ......................................................................... Executive Secretary

DIRECTORSBrian WeatherlyBlake Laws .................................................................................... West TennesseeWill Lowery

Lisa RobinsonPat Hollman .............................................................................. Middle TennesseeScott Jones

Rhonda HumbertKaren Marshall ............................................................................... East TennesseeRicky Smith

Stephen Potter ................................................................Immediate Past President

Scott Suchomski John Rose .................................................................................................AdvisorsPhil Booher

Charles Panacek, Jr.James Roy Pope ......................................................................................AssociateBilly Tucker

Julie Thompson .......................................................................Executive Assistant

Lynne Williams .........................................................................Fair Administrator

OFFICIAL CONVENTION USHERSH. D. Crosslin & Jimmy Sweet, Co-Chairs

Robert Breeden Krystal King Ronnie Smith Eddie Burch William Lowery Steve Stricklin Jimmy Carter Alan Psota Brian Weatherly Henry Dean Loretta Rummel Ken Weaver Kent Greene Doug Singleteary Tracey Worlds Raymond Hamby Richard Smith Andy Zaricor Jim Humbert Ricky Smith

PROgRAM/CONVENTION Brenda Pierce-Williams - Chairman Pat Holliman Karen Marshall Shelly Stricklin

FAIREST OF THE FAIRS Kathy Weatherly - Co-ChairmanSue Crooks - Co-ChairmanFrances BrooksRuthie JeansTammy KennedyClara TerryBecky WalkerBrenda Pierce-Williams

AUDIT John Beasley - Chairman Lynn Tollett Phil Booher

LEgISLATIVE Hale Moss - Chairman Eddie Anderson John Beasley Lynn Tollett John Rose

gRIEVANCE James Spear - Chairman Charles Panacek, Jr.Ricky Smith

TRADE SHOw James Roy Pope - Co- ChairmanWill Lowery - Co-ChairmanBlake LawsBilly TuckerBrian Weatherly

CONVENTION AUDIO VISUAL Rick Clark -Chairman Pat Holliman Blake Laws

NOMINATINg Stephen Potter - ChairmanTommy Wheatley James Spears

SHOwCASERhonda Humbert - ChairmanPhil Booher

PRESIDENT'S BALLPaul Hart - Co-ChairmanGina Jackson - Co-ChairmanJake BradshawSam BradshawJohn DodsonKristi KosmanCole SheltonEllen SheltonBritni SingletearyDoug Singleteary

MERIT AwARDRuthie Jeans - ChairmanStephen PotterDebbie Bradshaw-HartBrenda Pierce-WilliamsShelly StricklinEmily PitcockJohn BeasleyPhil BooherH. D. CrosslinHenry DeanKeith FranksDeneicia GregsonGina JacksonDebby Terry-KeithBlake LawsKaren MarshallSteve QueenerCindy Smith

TAF NEwSLETTERCindy Smith - ChairmanRuthie JeansKaren MarshallLoretta RummelScott SuchomskiBrenda Pierce-Williams

Tennessee Association of Fairs2014 COMMITTEES

AUCTIONLisa Robinson - Co-ChairmanTerry Whitson - Co-ChairmanEddie Anderson Johnny BruffPatsy BruffEd CuthbertsonMike FarleyBryan FinleyPaul FinleyLarry GibsonSteven HeltonHunter JacksonScott JonesEric MaupinDavid QueenerTed Swafford

FAIR SHOwCASEKaren Marshall - Co-ChairmanKim Potter - Co-ChairmanMarla CantrellRick ClarkBrittany DeanRose Ann DonnellRhonda HumbertDonita MooreLorene ReavisCindy RobbinsLeon RogersJudy SandlinTracey ScottAngie StarrFaye UnderhillBrenda Pierce-Williams

TAF PHOTOgRAPHERSCindy Smith - ChairmanShannon BlackwoodWinona BrewerRonnie BrewerKaren Marshall

YOUR TIME MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

As your TAF President, how true these words became as I crisscrossed the great State of Tennessee seeing old friends and meeting new friends along the way. I would like to thank each of you that took the time to show me your fairgrounds and share the history of your county fair.

During my years of service as a Director and Past-President of the Dyer County Fair, it was those years that prepared me for the path I would take with TAF. I know personally the sacrifices of your time and efforts it takes to make your county fair the best it can be. As I traveled across Tennessee the past four years, I realized just how important TAF is to its members. We all learn from each other as to how to better our facilities, our fairgrounds and even how to establish a solid board of directors to make things happen. These things don’t happen overnight but take many years of hard work, dedication and time.

I want to personally thank the TAF board, both past and present, for not only the opportunity to serve as this year’s president but as well for the kindness and support you’ve shown over the past seven years. To Emily: Thank you for the countless hours that you spend serving as Executive Secretary to help make this association what it is today.

My heartfelt thanks go to the Dyer County Fair and all the West Tennessee Fairs, for having the confidence in me to lead us into 2015. Last and certainly not least, thank you to my best friend and husband, Paul, who has been with me on this treasured journey the past seven years.

God bless you, and remember: YOUR TIME MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

From Your T.A.F. President...

Tennessee Association of Fairs2015 CONVENTION SPONSORS

Anderson County FairAppalachian FairBedford County FairBenton County FairCarroll County FairClay County FairCocke County FairCoffee County FairCumberland County FairDeKalb County FairDickson County FairDyer County FairFentress County FairFranklin County FairGibson County FairGreene County FairHardin County FairHenderson County FairHenry County FairLincoln County FairMacon County FairMeigs County FairMiddle Tennessee District FairMorgan County Fair

Obion County FairOverton County FairPolk County FairPutnam County FairRhea County FairRobertson County FairSequatchie County FairSevier County FairSmith County FairTennessee State FairTennessee Valley FairTrousdale County FairVan Buren County FairWest Tennessee State FairWarren County FairWhite County FairWilliamson CountyWilson County FairBelle City Amusements, Inc.Dixieland Carnival Company LLCDrew ExpositionsExcalibur Data ServicesFamily AttractionsRegalia Manufacturing

TENNESSEE ASSOCIATION OF FAIRS2015 Convention

Badges and/or tickets required for all events. Drawings will be held at unannounced times and early bird drawings will be held for all sessions in the

ballroom, with the exception of pageants and banquet.

Thursday, January 22nd

12:30 p.m. ........................................Registration & Rehearsal for Fairest of the Fairs (Hermitage Ballroom)

1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. .......................................................Set Up Trade Show Booths (Plantation Lobby)

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. .....................Registration for Delegates & Associate Members (Plantation Lobby)

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ................ Enter Exhibits & Set Up Tabletops – Fair Showcase (McGavock’s Ballroom)

4:00 p.m. ...........................................................................Associate Member Meeting (Oaklands Room)

4:30 p.m ................................................................................................ Usher Meeting (Evergreen Room)

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ...........................................Fair Showcase Committee Meeting (McGavock’s Room)

6:00 p.m. ......................................................................................Opening Night Party (Plantation Ballroom)

6:30 p.m .......................................................................................................Showcases (Plantation Ballroom)

7:00 p.m. .......................................................................................................... Auction (Plantation Ballroom)

7:00 p.m. ..................................................................................................Queens Party (Fairest of the Fair Contestants Only) (Belle Meade Room)

Immediately following Auction. ................................................Opening Night Dance Music by “Four on the Floor” (Plantation Ballroom)

Friday Morning, January 23rdVice President Brenda Pierce-williams, Presiding

8:00 a.m ............................................................. Board of Directors Breakfast Meeting (Belmont Room)

8:00 a.m ...............................................................................Fairest of Fairs InterviewsContestants Only

(General Thomas & General Hood) Followed by Rehearsal for Contestants Only

(Hermitage Ballroom)8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m ....................................................................... Trade Show Open

(Plantation Lobby)

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ................................ JUDGING ONLY – Fair Showcase Room(McGavock’s Ballroom)

9:00 a.m ................................................................................. Registration Desk Opens(Plantation Lobby)

9:00 a.m. ............................................................................................. Opening Session Welcome –Debbie Bradshaw-Hart, President Presentation of U.S. Flag and TN State Flag Pledge of Allegiance Singing of National Anthem

Roll Call of Fairs – Emily Pitcock, Executive Secretary Commissioner Julius Johnson Tennessee Department of Agriculture Lynne Williams, Fair Administrator (Tulip Grove Ballroom)

9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. .............................................................................Jerry Carroll Farmer, Comedian, Co-Host of TV’s “Amazing America" Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (Tulip Grove Ballroom) 10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. ...................................................... .Fairest of Fair in Review

(Tulip Grove Ballroom)

10:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ........................................................ Showcase Entertainment(Tulip Grove Ballroom)

1l:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m ................................................................Lunch On Your Own

Friday Afternoon, January 23rdVice President Shelly Stricklin, Presiding

12:30 p.m. to 12:45 p.m ........................................Introduction of Associate Members(Tulip Grove Ballroom)

12:45 p.m. to 1:00 p.m ................... "The Making Of A Champion of Champion Fair" Presented by Overton County Fair (Tulip Grove Ballroom)

1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m ......................................................... Visit Fair Showcase Room(McGavock's Ballroom)

1:15 p.m. to 2:15 .........................................................Break-Out Sessions (Pick One)

1. “It’s Lego Time in Tennessee!” Workshop facilitated by Robin Marsh & Paula Suchomski Tennessee Valley Fair Knoxville, TN (Belle Meade Room)

2. “Animal Health Update” Dr. Charles Hatcher Tennessee State Veterinarian (Oakland Room)

3. “Color My World” Do the Tammy Algood colors you select match the Marketing Specialist message you want to send? Tennessee Department of Agriculture (Evergreen Room)

4. “Explore the Fair with Fair Bingo” Resource Technician Davidson Co Soil Conservation District (Edgewood Room)

5. “Hands –On Ag-Tivities” Tara Witherow Education Curator TN Agricultural Museum (Kingsley Room)

6. “Ageless Beauties” Frances Brooks State Fairest of Fair Committee Cumberland County Fair (Belmont Room)

2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m ...........................................................................................Break

2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m ...........................................................Repeat Breakout Sessions

3:00 p.m. .....................................................Fairest of the Fair Primping Room Opens(Two Rivers Room)

4:00 p.m. .......................................... Visit Trade Show & Associate Members Rooms(Plantation Lobby)

5:30 p.m ............................................................................. Fairest of the Fair Line UpContestants Only(Kinsley Room)

6:00 p.m. ..................................................................................Fairest of Fairs Contest(Plantation Ballroom)

8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ...................................................... Visit Fair Showcase Room (McGavock’s Ballroom)

Saturday Morning, January 24thVice President Ruthie Jeans, Presiding8:00 a.m.. ............................................................................. .Past President’s Breakfast

(Cheekwood Room)

8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ................................................................. Fair Showcase Opens(McGavock’s Ballroom)

8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. .................................................................................Trade Show (Plantation Lobby)

9:00 a.m. ................................................................Fair Showcase Winner Presentation (Tulip Grove Ballroom)

9:30 a.m to 10:00 a.m. ...................................................................... Clowning Around Scott Jones Manager, Tennessee State Fair (Tulip Grove Ballroom)

John Tumey, Manager Amusement Device Unit Tennessee Dept. Of Labor & Work Force (Tulip Grove Ballroom)

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m .......................................................... Showcase Entertainment (Tulip Grove Ballroom)

11:00 a.m to 12:30 p.m. ............................................................... Lunch On Your Own

Saturday Afternoon, January 24thPresident, Debbie Bradshaw-Hart, Presiding

12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. ................................................................. Divisional Caucuses West-Shelly Stricklin, Presiding .................... (Edgewood Room)Middle-Ruthie Jeans, Presiding ....................... (Oaklands Room)East-Brenda Pierce-Williams. ......................... (Evergreen Room)

1:30 p.m. ...............................................................................General Business Session Grand Prize Drawing

(Must be present to win and have your Commemorative pin on)(Tulip Grove Room)

Immediately after Business Session ............................... Board Meeting of New Board (Cheekwood Room)

3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ......................................................... Visit Fair Showcase Room (McGavock's Ballroom)

6:30 p.m .................................................................................... Merit Awards Banquet(Plantation Ballroom)

Immediately after Merit Awards Banquet ............. Release of Fair Showcase Exhibits Including Fairest of Fair Shoes (McGavock’s Ballroom)

Immediately following the BanquetPresident’s Ball

“It’s Time To get Your Beach On!”“The Kimberlie Helton Band”

Plantation Ballroom

Tennessee Association of Fairs2014 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS(2015 List Will Be Available at Registration Desk)

Allied Specialty Insurance, Inc.Amusement AttractionsAmusements of AmericaB & T Savings Inc.Belle City AmusementsBuffalo Beals Petting ZooBullwhip Rodeo, LLCBurton Brothers AmusementsCarnival Tyme, LLCChampionship Mud Racers Association, Inc.Circle C. FarmsDixieland Carnival CompanyDrew ExpositionsExcalibur Data Solutions, Inc.Fair Publishing HouseFamily AttractionsFare Foods CorporationFour On The FloorGeorge's Fun FoodGregory Talent & ProductionsHawk Specialty ServicesJCJ Amusements

James Gang AmusementsKaliff InsuranceKissell Entertainment, LLCLowery Carnival CompanyNICAOABAParadise Amusements, IncParty AnimalsPayton Taylor Entertainment, LLCPope's ConcessionsPork McElhinnyPyro Shows, Inc.Regalia Manufacturing CompanyRockin' A Ranch Animal ExhibitRolling Stone RodeoSamnders Marketing GroupStars Mud RacingThe Wade Henry ShowTriangle Talent, IncUSA PullersVariety Attractions

Tennessee Association of FairsPast Presidents

1934 - A. W. McCartney 1935 - Will A. McTeer 1936 - S. F. Houston 1937 - S. F. Houston 1938 - S. F. Houston 1939 - A. U. Taylor 1940 - W. L. Little 1941 - J. H. Bennett 1942 - Henry Beaudoin 1943 - Henry Beaudoin 1944 - Henry Beaudoin 1945 - O. D. Massa 1946 - Maude Atwood 1947 - G. E. McAdams 1948 - P. G. Crooks 1949 - W. J. Huddleston 1950 - John B. Waters 1951 - C. E. Johnson 1952 - J. W. Shouse 1953 - Patt Kerr 1954 - Hunter Taylor 1955 - Stanton Hunter 1956 - Jack Vinson 1957 - G. W. Wynne 1958 - G. W. Wynne 1959 - Leonard Rogers 1960 - Leonard Rogers 1961 - Hunter Taylor 1962 - Leonard Rogers 1963 - J. B. Grant 1964 - J. B. Grant 1965 - James N. Hardin 1966 - Joel Bell 1967 - Vernon Henson 1968 - Thornton Taylor 1969 - James Fisher 1970 - Crosby Murray 1971 - Wilson Sparks 1972 - Wilson Sparks 1973 - Ted Vaughn

1974 - Rupert Blair1975 - Jim Rippy1976 - W. B. Lockert1977 - George Sliger1978 - Truman Lewis1979 - John Beasley1980 - Jack Thurman1981 - Jim Craig1982 - Sarah Posey1983 - David Crooks1984 - A. B. White1985 - Mike Eubank1986 - George Walker1987 - Bob Nichols1988 - Hale Moss1989 - Don Holifield1990 - Eddie Anderson1991 - Roy Womack1992 - Bob Presley1993 - George Atwood1994 - Dr. John Beasley1995 - Alan Shelton1996 - Johnny Bruff1997 - Emily Pitcock1998 - Garry Hood1999 - Milton Rodgers2000 - Andy Brummett2001 - Ed Underwood2002 - Larry Gibson2003 - Terry Whitson2004 - Jim Parker2005 - Rose Ann Donnell2006 - Kevin Lawrence2007 - Richard Shadden2008 - Paul Finley2009 - Bill Phillips2010 - Lynn Tollett2011 - Tommy Wheatley2012 - James Spears2013 - Stephen Potter

Member Fairs

Anderson County Fair ....................................................................................................... ClintonAppalachian Fair ................................................................................................................... GrayBedford County Fair ...................................................................................................ShelbyvilleBenton County Fair ..........................................................................................................CamdenBledsoe County Fair .......................................................................................................PikevilleCarroll County Fair ....................................................................................................HuntingdonCheatham County Fair .............................................................................................Ashland CityClaiborne County Fair .....................................................................................................TazewellClay County Fair .................................................................................................................CelinaCocke County Fair .......................................................................................................... NewportCoffee County Fair..................................................................................................... ManchesterCumberland County Fair ...............................................................................................CrossvilleDecatur County Fair ..........................................................................................................ParsonsDeKalb County Fair .................................................................................................... AlexandriaDickson County Fair ........................................................................................................DicksonDyer County Fair ......................................................................................................... DyersburgFentress County Fair ................................................................................................... JamestownFoothills Country Fair ...................................................................................................ClevelandFranklin County Fair ...................................................................................................WinchesterGibson County Fair ...........................................................................................................TrentonGiles County Fair .............................................................................................................. PulaskiGreene County Fair .................................................................................................... GreenevilleHamilton County Fair ........................................................................................................HixsonHardeman County Fair ...................................................................................................... BolivarHardin County Fair ........................................................................................................SavannahHenderson County Fair .................................................................................................LexingtonHenry County Fair ................................................................................................................ ParisHouston County Fair ............................................................................................................. .ErinHumphreys County Fair ...................................................................................................WaverlyJefferson County Fair ..............................................................................................Jefferson CityLauderdale County Fair ..................................................................................................... RipleyLincoln County Fair ................................................................................................... FayettevilleMacon County Fair ........................................................................................................LafayetteMarion County Fair ............................................................................................................. JasperMaury County Fair ........................................................................................................ ColumbiaMcNairy County Fair .........................................................................................................SelmerMeigs County Fair ........................................................................................................... DecaturMiddle Tennessee Fair ........................................................................................... LawrenceburgMorgan County Fair ....................................................................................................... WartburgObion County Fair ...................................................................................................... Union CityOverton County Fair ....................................................................................................LivingstonPolk County Fair ................................................................................................................BentonPutnam County Fair .....................................................................................................CookevilleRhea County Fair .............................................................................................................. DaytonRobertson County Fair ................................................................................................ SpringfieldScott County Fair ...............................................................................................................OneidaSequatchie County Fair ..................................................................................................... DunlapSevier County Fair .......................................................................................................SeviervilleSmith County Fair ...........................................................................................................CarthageSouth Central Area Fair ..............................................................................................HohenwaldSumner County Fair ........................................................................................................ .GallatinTennessee State Fair .......................................................................................................NashvilleTennessee Valley Fair .................................................................................................... KnoxvilleTrousdale County Youth Fair ........................................................................................ HartsvilleVan Buren County Fair .................................................................................................... SpencerWarren County Fair ..................................................................................................McMinnvilleWest Tennessee State Fair ................................................................................................ JacksonWhite County Fair ...............................................................................................................SpartaWilliamson County Fair ...................................................................................................FranklinWilson County Fair .........................................................................................................Lebanon