Parade, crowning of Snow Queen kicks off Christmas season

Published 9:54 am Friday, December 7, 2018

STANFORD — Pushing the annual Christmas parade back a day due to the threat of storms and high winds did little to dampen the spirits of residents and visitors, as they crowded into downtown Stanford Sunday evening for the event.

“White Christmas” was the theme for the parade, which serves as the official kickoff of the holiday season in Lincoln County. Over a hundred units participated in the festive holiday occasion, with dozens of Snow Queen, Duchess, Countess and Princess candidates also adding to the nearly 45-minute parade.

At the conclusion of the parade, attention turned to the steps of the Lincoln County Courthouse where the crowning of the winter royals took place.

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The young lady receiving the first crown of the evening was six-year-old Madison Curtis as she was named the top candidate in the Snow Princess contest. Madison, the daughter of Brad and Mitzi Curtis of Stanford, was chosen out of a field of 10 contestants. She was escorted by Liam Pendleton, the son of Waylon and Heather Pendleton of Hustonville.

First runner-up in the contest was Anna Grace Todd, 6, the daughter of Jeremy and Sharon Todd of Stanford. Her escort was Aiken McCoy, the son of Casey and Tinsley McCoy of Danville.

The Snow Princess contest was open to girls from 4 to 6 years of age.

Next to be crowned was the Duchess. Eleven girls vied for the title in the 7 to 9 year category and it was contestant No. 10, Autumn McGuffey, 9, named as the top candidate for the crown. Autumn, the daughter of Megan Dykes and Shawn McGuffey of Stanford, was escorted by Dylan Oakes, the son of Vanessa Dykes of Somerset.

Jaryn Brielle Smith, 8, was named as the first runner-up in the Duchess contest. Jaryn is the daughter of J and Jacqueline Smith of Stanford. Her escort was D.J. Bryant, the son of Deron and Cindy Bryant of Stanford.

Second runner-up was Sadie Preston, 7, of Stanford. Sadie, the daughter of Jeremy and Crystal Preston, was escorted by Casper Toler, son of Theresa Hendrix of Stanford.

Next in line of royals was Lindsay Bryant, 11, who was crowned the 2018 Countess. Lindsay, the daughter of Mark and Kelley Bryant of Stanford, was chosen out of a field of 15 girls aged 10 years to middle school. She was escorted by Jax Reynolds, the son of Amber and Mike Reynolds of Waynesburg.

The Duchess first runner-up was Peyton Ramsey, 14, the daughter of Andy and Kim Powell and Clay and Shelby Ramsey of Stanford. Her escort was Ein Rousey, son of Shane and Shelley Rousey of Hustonville.

Maggie Grace Day, 12, was named Duchess second runner-up. Maggie, the daughter of Stephen and Valerie Day of Waynesburg, was escorted by Caden Bastin, son of Nick and Melanie Bastin of Stanford.

The night’s biggest competition, the Snow Queen contest with a field of 23 contestants, was saved for last. At night’s end, the judges named Nikki Petrey, 16, as the best candidate to wear the crown and title of 2018 Lincoln County Snow Queen.

Nikki, the daughter of Jason Baker of Crab Orchard, was presented her crown, cape and roses by last year’s Snow Queen, Abby Hale, as her escort, Micah Brown, looked on. Micah is the son of Nolyn Coffman. Nikki was sponsored by Educators Rising.

There were four Snow Queen runners-up named, with Lucy Singleton, 15, chosen as the first runner-up. Lucy, the daughter of Tracy and Eddie Singleton of Waynesburg, was sponsored by the Unite Club. Her escort was Brady Patterson, son of Rod and Tiffany Johnson and Greg Patterson of Stanford.

Second runner-up was Meshala Rose, 16. Meshala, the daughter of Janet Rose of Waynesburg, was escorted by Judea Correll, son of Richard Correll and Brandy Rowe of Kings Mountain. Meshala was sponsored by Goats Gruff Beard Care.

Raelyn Amon, 17, was named the third runner-up. Raelyn, the daughter of Tim and Dana Taylor and Bobby and Michelle Amon of Stanford, was escorted by Landon Wade, son of Lance and Christa Wade. She was sponsored by the Lincoln County High School Girls Soccer Team

The fourth runner-up was Lindsay Phillips, 15, the daughter of Billy and Chasity Phillips of Hustonville. Lindsay, who was escorted by Jacob Lopez, son of Michael and JaDawn Lopez of Mt. Vernon, was sponsored by Lincoln County Sheriff Curt Folger.

The Christmas parade and the royalty events were sponsored by the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

The remaining Snow Queen candidates, their escorts and sponsors were: Kallie Phillips, 17, daughter of Kieth and Billie Phillips, Stanford, and Dalyn Pope, son of Jose and Dana Pope, Hustonville, LCHS Softball; Savanna Smith, 17, daughter of David and Jan Smith, and Jordan Jones, son of Terry Dismuke, Harrodsburg, LCHS Tennis; Jessie Wilson, 17, daughter of Mark and Kellie Wilson of Waynesburg, and Trey Baldwin, son of Phillip and Teresa Baldwin, Hustonville, National Honor Society; Emery Sears, 17, daughter of Todd and Tammy Sears, Stanford, and Hunter Montgomery, son of Kim and Richey Montgomery, Stanford, FFA; Haleigh Releford, 15, daughter of Jamie and Tami Releford, Stanford, and Zack Hazlett, son of Billy Jack and Brooke Hazlett and Jamie Ramey of Stanford, TATU; Madelynn Durham, 17, daughter of Angela Watson and Jeff Durham, Stanford, and Mason Gastineau, son of Rebecca and Derek Gastineau, Stanford, LCHS Boys Bowling Team; Alexis Villarreal, 16, and Tony Villarreal, children of Leticia and Adrian Villarreal, Stanford, St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church; Emily R. Holtzclaw, 18, daughter of Amy Holtzclaw and Wayne Holtzclaw, Crab Orchard, and Carter Tillett, son of Jody and Jamie Wells and Shellie and Bryan Tillett, Stanford; Sophia Cornett, 15, daughter of Wes and Carlee Cornet, and Brady Weaver, son of Coby and Jamie Jenkins and Terry Weaver, Stanford, LCHS Cheerleaders; Hailee Alexis Reed, 16, daughter of Cristan and John Reed, McKinney, and Woods Smith, son of Laura and Hank Smith, Stanford, HOSA; Gracie Reed, 15, daughter of Christy and Joe Dan Reed, McKinney, and Riley Kelly, son of Jessica Harrison, Stanford, Kentucky Depot Restaurant; Anna Lane, 17, daughter of Darin and Diana Lane, Stanford, and Gavin Poynter, son of Rob Poynter and Susan Hall, Stanford, Beta Club; Grace Lee Muse, 17, daughter of Joe and Kim Muse, Stanford, and Jacob Baird, son of Janet and Greg Baird, Stanford, LCHS FBLA Club; Kendra Dawn Gingrass, 17, daughter of Troy and Teresa Gingrass, Waynesburg, and Charlie White Jr., son of Charlie White and Christana Martin, Waynesburg, Lincoln Co. Fire Department; Olivia Horn, 16, daughter of Jill and Scott Horn, Hustonville, and Trey Smith, son of Dionne and Shane Smith, Hustonville; Brayli Steberl, 16, daughter of Kathy Long and Jim Steberl, and Carter Story, son of Don and Kristen Story, Stanford, FCCLA; Laura Ferguson, 16, daughter of Andy and Carol Ann Ferguson, Crab Orchard, and Hunter Cornelius, son of Anthony and Melissa Cornelius, Waynesburg, Lincoln Co. Longshots; Hannah Jacobs, 17, daughter of Shelia Napier and Claude Jacobs, Stanford, and Jonah Horton, son of Angela and Casey Horton, Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office; Faith Godby, 16, daughter of Kristi Poynter and Jeff Godby, Hustonville, and Dalton Stevens, son of Mindy and John Stevens, Stanford, LCHS Girls Bowling Team; and Brooklyn Paige Miracle, 16, daughter of Melissa Miracle and Shannon Miracle, Crab Orchard, and her escort was her Papaw, Clint Smith, Stanford, SkillsUSA.