The 100th Annual Tennessee Fairest of the Fairs pageant was held on Friday, Jan. 21, at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro.

The prior Miss Tennessee Fairest of the Fairs, Chloe Warren out of Sumner County, held the crown for two years due to many county fairs being cancelled in 2020 from COVID.

The Fairest of the Fairs showcases the beauty and talent of Tennessee’s young women, but it also serves the purpose of collecting items for charity. This year, 10,920 items were collected for the Veteran’s home in Murfreesboro.

In 2021, 49 Tennessee fairs sent representatives to the Fairest of the Fairs pageant. Most fairs are held by county, but some fairs within Tennessee represent several counties (the South-Central Area Fair, for example, represents Lewis County, Perry County, and Wayne County).

Bedford County was represented with Miss Jayden Jackson, who was first runner up. Below is an interview with Jayden and the Shelbyville Times-Gazette:

1. How long have you been competing in pageants and what’s your favorite thing about it?

I started competing in pageants at a very young age and took a break around the age of five. At this age I began showing Tennessee Walking Horses and spent summers preparing to compete at The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. I decided to compete in pageants again at the age of 13 in 2016 when I entered The Bedford County Fairest of The Fair. I went on to win all three years of being in the Young Miss Division in 2016 2017, and 2018. Being a part of the Fairest of the Fair sisterhood in Bedford County has been one of the biggest blessings in my life as I have met great friends as well as a fair board and pageant director who have grown to be great influences in my life. This past year I competed at the Miss Tennessee Teen USA Pageant, and I won the Miss Bedford County Fairest of the Fair title in July of 2021. Being able to be a part of this association and give back to our community during the week of the fair has truly ingrained how amazing our county and community is!

2. What are your current plans for school and career?

I am currently a freshman and an Alpha Delta Pi at Middle Tennessee State University, and I am majoring in Biochemistry. After graduating I plan to follow my dream career of being a Physician’s Associate and hope to focus as an Aesthetics Physician’s Associate.

3. What is the worst fashion decision you’ve ever made?

Oh goodness, I have had plenty of these! Probably one of my worst fashion decisions I’ve made though would have to be when I went through a tutu skirt obsession in the sixth grade. I practically wore a bright colored tutu once a week!

4. If you had a parrot, what’s the first thing you would teach it to say?

I have always been fascinated by talking parrots! I would probably teach it my favorite motto I learned from a pageant coach of mine, “I am, I can, I will”. This is a motto that I have replayed always through my head whether it’s when I am entering a World Championship class aboard

one of my beloved horses, walking on stage for a pageant, or taking a test. The first step to success is knowing that without God and belief in yourself you simply cannot succeed.

5. What’s the worst pickup line you’ve ever heard?

I’ve heard quite a few over the years, but the first one that comes to mind is one that I’m sure all Tennesseans can relate to and it’s, “Are you from Tennessee? Because you’re the only ten I see!” Get more creative guys!