Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Reece Named Festival Queen

By JOHN MILLER

Rachelle Reece was crowned the 1996 Forest Festival Queen Saturday night, as four beauty queens were crowned.

The Forest Festival Pageant was held in the Gurdon Middle School auditorium to a packed house. The theme of this year's event was "My Favorite Things."

Billy Tarpley, the master of ceremonies, got the pageant underway by introducing the 1995 queens, who then presided over their division when it came time to hand over their crowns.

The audience was given a special treat as Little Miss Arkansas, Brooke Cornelius, was on hand.

But everyone was waiting for the lovely ladies to grace the stage in the four divisions.

When the contests finally began, 13 young ladies were paraded out in the Tiny Miss category.

Kristen Nicole Craft was crowned the winner, while Kelli Pennington was first runner up. Ashley Hutton was the second runner up in the bracket. Kara Hurst bubbled as Miss Photogenic.

However, there were no losers as all these young ladies were given trophies for entering.

The Little Miss contest followed, with five beauties vying for the crown.

Hollie Brianna Hughes captured the top spot, along with being named Miss Photogenic. She was crowned by Stephanie King, the '95 winner.

Carolanne Duke was the first runner up, with Ashley Floyd being the second runner up.

Once the Little Miss Forest Festival Queen was crowned, the audience was entertained by the vocal talents of Winnie Clark, who sang, "Surround My Heart With Love" and "If My Heart Had Windows."

Tarpley called Charles and JoAnn Shaver on stage where he presented them with a plaque for their 14 years of service on the festival and pageant, along with their work in the CD&E club.

Before the final two categories were presented, Freddie Horne, president of the CD&E club, gave an update on the festival.

He said all 123 booth locations have been sold for the first time in the festival's 16 year history.

There will be 36 sponsors for this year's antique car show and between 6,000 and 7,000 visitors are expected for Saturday's festivities.

"It'll be a great day," Horne said. "But we need some good weather."

He suggested all visitors bring their lawn chairs as well.

Then came the final two contests, starting with the princess division, which had six girls.

Patricia Hammands went home with the crown, after having it placed on her head by Ashley Gill, the '95 queen.

Lacey McNabb was the first runner up and Miss Photogenic in the category, with Lyndi Escalante being named second runner up.

However, the moment all was waiting for came next as 10 beautiful young women graced the stage in the queen competition.

After all was said and done, Rachelle Reece was presented the crown by '95 queen Jennifer Guthrie.

LeAndra Jester was tabbed as the first runner up and earned the contest's first interview award. Kimberly Roberson went home as the second runner up. Adrianne Porcelli was named Miss Photogenic.

The pageant was videotaped, with copies available for $10 each at Billy's Main Street Florist.