Lots Of Fun At Walden's Bluegrass, Beauties, & BBQ: Coordinators Pleased With Turnout

These little ones shy away from the camera during the competition.

Moriah Peterson, mpeterson@edmonsonvoice.com, story and photos:
​The first annual Walden’s BBQ Queen of the Bluegrass pageant was held Saturday, July 29th at Main Street Activity Center. The room was filled with smiles and cheers as each category named a winner. Tina Walden, owner of Walden’s BBQ, directed the event. “This pageant was an exciting and new experience for me and I’m looking forward to growth,j" said Walden. "Also a big thank you to former Mrs. Kentucky Jackie Greenwalt for emceeing the pageant for us."

​The winners of each category are listed below:

• 7-11 months Tiny Miss: Jenna Davenport
• 12-23 months Baby: Miss Layla Kate Dennison
• 2-3 yrs Toddler: Miss Maggie Saltsman
• 4-6yrs Little Miss: Hadley Garmon
• 7-9 yrs Jr. Pre-Teen: Sydney Blanton
• 10-12 yrs Miss Pre-Teen: Mia Holland
• 13-15 yrs Miss Teen: Alexas Engel
• 16-21 yrs: Miss Caitlin Daniele
• 22+ Married:  Mrs. Moriah Peterson
• 22+ not married:  Ms. Melinda Campbell
• Waldens BBQ Baby winner: Layla Kate Dennison​

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​Other festivities included live music and vendors inside the restaurant. Everyone enjoyed excellent BBQ while listening to music from Billy and Wilma Vincent, Corey Culbreth and Laney Meredith, and Rye Davis.

The eventful day closed with square dancing and the Queens all gathered together for photos.

“We want to provide family fun activities for our community that everyone can enjoy," said Walden. "A huge thank you to all our co-sponsors: The Edmonson Voice, Sun Valley Feed, Dunaway Lumber, Mammoth Cave Transplants, Sue and Benny Lindsey and Scott Lindsey. I also want to thank all my employees and volunteers who worked double shifts today and thank you to everyone who came out to our Bluegrass Beauties and BBQ Fest."

All winners that were named on Saturday now have a chance to participate in the Kentucky state festivals pageant competition in November, held in Lexington.

Editor's note: Edmonson Voice Staff reporter/photographer Moriah Peterson attended the festival for the purpose of covering the event for our local news. While there, pageant coordinators talked her into entering the contest, which was all in good fun. Moriah had never entered a pageant before. Low and behold, she won the category of age 22 and up, married. Congratulations to Moriah as she now goes on to state competition in November.