08/05/2026
As we have left July behind, we are already reminiscing on this year and looking forward to the next. What an honor it is to lead these amazing young ladies in all that we do.
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Miss Fulton County queen pageant Director Adrianna Smith said she’s tried to move the event back to the Fulton County Fairgrounds for a few years.
This year she succeeded when the pageant was held at the Hudkins Arena on Sunday, July 12.
Smith said she had “a lot of parents and community members that (were) excited to see it happen (at the fairgrounds)” again after the pageant had occurred at Rochester High School’s auditorium.
“It got moved in 2015 (from the fairgrounds) because the old building wasn’t suitable anymore, and so that was good, but I think we lost the excitement of it as a fair event,” said Smith.
A second change to the pageant this year was having opening number dances for all contestants.
Girls in the Little Miss Fulton County and Teen Miss Fulton County competitions performed together as did the Junior Miss Fulton County and Miss Fulton County contestants.
“It’s kind of fun to get both ages on the stages together, and the little girls look up to the big girls a lot,” said Smith.
Part of the pageant as in previous years was the contestants going through workshops ahead of the competition. Smith said one workshop included a “Professionalism Night.”
“We went through how to conduct an interview, how to dress, how to create a resume, things that they are all going to need to do in a couple of years,” she said.
Smith also said a “Get Fancy Night” was held to teach girls about doing their hair and makeup, and a “Mental Wellness Night” with 4C Health’s Leticia Timmel to talk about mental health. Regarding the latter, she said “it was amazing and kind of helped the girls, especially with what we do.”
“It can be easy to get down on yourself,” said Smith. “I mean it is a judged competition like someone is picking one person better than another, and so (Timmel) kind of went over just managing stress, and setting boundaries and helping your confidence even when it’s hard.”
Smith said she hopes girls “get something out of (the pageant) more than just wearing a fancy dress on stage.”
Smith is assisted in running the pageant by the rest of the “Queen Team”: Cassie Smith, Makayla Hubartt, Karah Baumgardner and Madison Heinzmann.
The pageant is paid for with the help of contestants getting sponsors.
People could also contribute funds by voting for their People’s Choice contestant on pageant night.
Adrianna Smith said the pageant also received donations from businesses and entities like the Fulton County Republican Women’s Club.
“We’re always very appreciative of all of that,” said Adrianna Smith. She said she hopes to receive funds to put up a “She Shed” at the fairgrounds to store everything needed for the pageant.
Those who want to may give by going to zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/2026-fulton-co-queenprogram.
By Leah Sander, Staff Writer. Photo by Leah Sander.
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