Shan Burklow and Beth Chandler of DeKalb County hosted 26 pageants along with the ‘Tennessee’s Got Talent Competition’ at the Tennessee State Fair recently. Multiple contestants from across DeKalb County participated and placed during the three days of competition as well as donating crowns during a special charity crown ceremony for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Burklow and Chandler even recruited local experts to help manage and produce the pageants.
“It’s always great to work hard with friends to help raise money for a good cause,” said Burklow following the event, “We are grateful to partner with ‘Crowns for a Cause’ again this year to help every little girl and boy at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital be Queen and Hero for a day. We raised enough money to purchase portable DVD players and rated G DVDs for the children as well as receiving enough crowns for the little girls as well. We raised $2,245.00 in quarter votes alone. How great is that?” Burklow continues, “I host the on-stage part of the events, but I am nothing without a hard working producer (Beth Chandler) and a great team of staff and volunteers to pull it all together. You also need a great gown sponsor like RSG Prom and Pageant!” Burklow laughs, “I am a marketing director by day…and a state fair pageant director by night! I appreciate DeKalb Community Hospital and Stones River Hospital for allowing me to take the time for this great event. I work with some of the best-hearted people on earth.”
The hard working producer, her sister, and long-time business partner – Beth Chandler, as well as the team Burklow talks about includes Angie Meadows along with Denise Page and Melissa Yarborough (DeKalb) who managed the baby and toddler competition. The tabulation team included Vickie Woods of Alexandria along with Cindy Taylor, and Tina Cripps of Smithville. LouAnn Sanders from the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce welcomed contestants at the door. Katie Haggard of Smithville was brought in as assistant producer for her second year. Josh Issac of Smithville provided the entertainment through his signature vocal talent.
“It took a great deal of wonderful people to pull this off! We were so grateful to everyone who came and helped us during the weekend. There were volunteers from Knoxville to Greenbrier, Tennessee,” Chandler comments, “Vickie Woods even developed a computerized tabulation system that allowed us to be on time throughout the weekend. Everyone was amazing and we had a great time working together. I was personally in awe of the generous attitude of all that attended. We would also like to thank channel 2, 4, 5, and Fox 17 News for promoting us throughout the month.”
Over 175 titles and awards were presented during the event including a one year modeling contract with Dan Talent Group of Franklin, TN (Tennessee Top Model Competition). DeKalb County contestants claimed multiple awards including: Queen Supreme Overall – Addison Oakley is the daughter of Clark and Lisa Oakley of Liberty, TN / First Runner-Up TN State Junior Fair Princess – Hayley Hale is the daughter of Chad and Melissa Hale of Smithville, TN / Top Ten Jr. Fair Princess – Liz Qualls is the daughter of Brad and Kim Trapp and Jason and Stormy Qualls of Smithville, TN / Top Ten Little Miss Princess – Natalie Snipes is the daughter of Tim and Michelle Snipes of Smithville, TN / Optional Award Winner – Shelby Clayborn is the daughter of Brian and Holly Clayborn of Liberty, TN.
Pictured: (from left to right) Host Shan Burklow with Queen Supreme Overall Winner Addison Oakley of Liberty, TN; Tennessee Top Model Queen Baylee Nester of Manchester, TN; and Crowns for a Cause Queen Olivia Link of Nashville, TN.
Pictured: Shan Burklow stands with Crowns for a Cause royalty. Former queens Sadie Prater and Emily Burklow get ready to crown their successor.
Pictured: Producers hard at work – Assistant TN State Fair Producer Katie Haggard takes a moment to stand still along with TN State Fair Producer Beth Chandler who managed 27 events at the Tennessee State Fair last weekend.
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