Tennessee’s agricultural fairs were celebrated for their achievements at the 103rd Tennessee Association of Fairs (TAF) Convention, held from January 16-18 in Murfreesboro. The event, attended by nearly 1,000 people, saw the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and TAF acknowledge outstanding county, regional, and state agricultural fairs for the upcoming 2024 season.
A total of 52 fairs were awarded the Award of Merit, recognizing excellence in agriculture, education, community participation, programs, and appearance. In a remarkable achievement, the Greene County Fair was honored as the Champion of Champions Fair for 2024. This prestigious title is awarded from among the three division winners of the previous year.
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Commissioner Charlie Hatcher D.V.M. remarked on the importance of fairs in promoting agriculture across Tennessee, highlighting the celebration of the state’s natural resources and quality of life. TAF President Blake Laws emphasized the role of agricultural fairs in providing wholesome competition, entertainment for all ages, and community support, with over 20,000 volunteers contributing to their success.
The 2024 fair category winners were announced as follows:
Division A:
– State Champion: White County Fair
– 1st Runner-up: Smith County Fair
– 2nd Runner-up: Benton County Fair
– Most Improved: Houston County Fair
Division AA:
– State Champion: Warren County Fair
– 1st Runner-up: Middle Tennessee District Fair
– 2nd Runner-up: Henry County Fair
– Most Improved: Rhea County Fair
Division AAA:
– State Champion: Williamson County Fair
– 1st Runner-up: Anderson County Fair
– 2nd Runner-up: Sevier County Fair
– Most Improved: Coffee County Fair
Special awards were also given, including the Judy Basse Memorial Award to Jamie Robinson of Bedford County Fair, the Thornton Taylor Award to Helen McPeak from Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair, and the Vernon Henson Memorial Award to Blake Laws from Obion County Fair. Ken Woodward of Variety Attractions received the Jimmy Floyd Memorial Award, and Emma Grace Dotson from Henry County Fair was awarded the inaugural TAF Scholarship.
In the regional division, the Appalachian Fair, Tennessee Valley Fair, and The Nashville Fair were recognized with the Award of Merit. The Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair also received this award in the state division for overall fair operations.
The Fair Showcase competition, now in its 27th year, featured 579 entries from 43 fairs, offering awards in 40 categories, such as best fair catalog, social media, educational displays, posters, and more.
For further information about Tennessee fairs, visit the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s website at www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/fairs.html or the Tennessee Association of Fairs at www.tnfairs.com.
In 2024, nearly 3 million visitors attended Tennessee’s county, regional, and state fairs, enjoying over 220,000 exhibits. This included more than 75,000 entries in livestock, farm crops, and other competitions. Over 20,000 volunteers played a pivotal role in making these fairs successful, significantly contributing to the economic impact across the state. The complete list of category award winners is available here.
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