FROM THE EDITOR FUN AT THE FREE FAIR
The Stephens County Free Fair has always been a big deal. Way back when the Free Fair started in the days before Oklahoma declared statehood, the locals knew the Free Fair would become an annual event to pride themselves on.
And it really has. The creation of the Free Fair brought about the building of the Stephens County Fairgrounds, which now serves as an epicenter for money-making events that draw tons of people to our community.
building which would soon become the forever home to the fair. In case you didn’t know, $20,000 back in 1907 is equivalent to about $683,968 in purchasing power today. That’s a 3,319.84% increase as a result of inflation from then until now.
fair will bring numerous competitions (horticulture, photography, you name it), livestock shows and as always, delicious pies. It’ll also bring entertainment for the whole family, complete with a carnival that every age can enjoy.
As always, there were a couple of things I learned during the creation of this book. Reporter Toni Hopper took a deep dive into The Banner Archives, which you’ll soon get to read about. Here are some of the interesting things she found.
The Stephens County Free Fair is the third oldest in the state of Oklahoma. That’s pretty impressive history right there y’all. To start the annual event, $20,000 was poured into forming a
The Banner’s archives also gave me a whirlwind when I read through some of the coverage Hopper provided for this book. Things like “Monkey Balloon Ascension,” “Live Alligator Shooting the Chute,” and “a High Diving Dog” have me wondering what those people from 1907 were really up to back then. Can anyone tell me?
Mystery solved or not, The Banner championed the Free Fair way back then, and we still do today. That’s why we decided to publish this book this summer, just ahead of the Stephens County Free Fair, which is set to take over the fairgrounds Aug. 13-16. The
A LocAL FAvorite
One thing we would like to encourage, just as The Banner did 118 years ago, is entering into the Free Fair. As long as you’re a resident of the county and you follow the rules in the fair book, you can enter. And you should. The participation of our community pushes our Free Fair to be the best it can be, but it takes all of us to commit to keeping this long-lasting legacy going for 118 more years. We’ve got to enter our best and we’ve got to encourage our younger generations to keep entering and to keep participating, now more than ever. If you get a chance, go to the fair. Check it out. See what you find. No matter what you like, there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone.
CHARLENE BELEW
MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS
EDITOR
CHARLENE BELEW
Charlene, also known in the community as Charlie, is the Managing Editor for The Duncan Banner and Duncan Magazine. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Cameron University, where she also held multiple positions with The Cameron Collegian, which ended with her serving as the Managing Editor in 2014-2015. Charlie has served two tenures with The Banner. Her first began in 2014 with an internship through Oklahoma Press Association and culminated in 2017 as News Editor. Her second began in 2018 when she returned as a staff writer and she resumed her editorship in 2020.
Although she has spent much of her life growing up in Lawton, Charlie has always felt a special call to the Duncan and Stephens County community. She adopted a dog from Stephens County Humane Society’s Take Out Tuesday program with The Banner in 2019 and also participates as a member of the Duncan Rotary Club. In 2021, Charlie led The Banner to the first Sequoyah Award from the Oklahoma Press Association since its last in 2012. She has taken home multiple awards for editorial writing and news writing, and most recently swept Oklahoma Press Association’s design competition for Semi- and TriWeekly publications. She had her first child, Anja, in January 2024, and is expecting another little girl in September 2025.
PUBLISHER CRYSTAL CHILDERS
Crystal joined The Banner staff in 2013 as an advertising executive. She was promoted to Advertising Manager in 2017 before becoming General Manager in 2020 and then Publisher in August 2023.
Crystal has won numerous awards from the Oklahoma Press Association in ad design, most recently a first and third place win for large ad space design along with second place for small ad space design.
Born and raised in Duncan, Crystal graduated from Duncan High School in 2001, joining a long line of Duncan graduates in her family. Crystal is an active member of Faith Church along with several community groups, including the Duncan Noon Lions Club. She is a proud supporter of the Stephens County Humane Society and all Duncan Demon sports from the many years her children participated. Crystal has three children, Alyssa, Jacob and Jordan and enjoys spending time with family and her many dogs.
Born and raised in California, Tamara joined the staff at The Duncan Banner in March 2020.
As an award winning journalist, Tamara has placed for her feature stories and photography, as well as for her news and column writing over the past few years.
Tamara previously gathered her experience by interning at the South Gibson Star Times in Fort Branch, Indiana, as well as working as the editor for her college newspaper, The Collegian in Oakland City, Indiana. Her experiences continued while writing and publishing a magazine, Evoke, with a group of friends in Turlock, California. With family local to Stephens County as well in the surrounding areas of Oklahoma, Tamara moved to Duncan from Stanislaus County, jumping right into community events as a reporter.
She loves to connect and engage with the community members to tell their heartfelt stories each day.
Duncan Magazine’s goal is to create a publication local to Stephens County that’s fun to read and view and created entirely by the hands of people you know. Here are the creators who use their time and talent to tell your stories.
JASON HODGES
A Comanche resident since the age of 10, Jason graduated from Comanche High School in 1991. His wife, Jennifer, followed a year behind, and the family has strong roots in the area. They have raised three daughters here, each of whom graduated from Comanche. They also have grandchildren attending school there. Jason began his career with The Banner in 2016 as a freelance photographer. Later, he accepted a full-time position in the advertising department, but he still enjoys taking photos, both for The Banner and his personal business, Hodges Photography. Jason loves his connection to the community he has now working at The Banner. He currently serves as the Comanche Chamber of Commmerce’s Vice President and can be contacted for photography work on Facebook at Hodges Photography.
Toni’s history with The Banner began in February 2000 as an education editor and continued in various roles, including news editor in 2013. During this time, she was assigned to serve as managing editor from 200305, at The Banner’s then sister publication, The Waurika News-Democrat. She left The Banner as news editor in 2013. Toni began her news career in the mid-1990s in La Junta, Colorado. She was photo chief for a four-state wide agriculture paper, The Ag Journal (now closed).
In 1997, she and her family moved to Marlow. Harbour Whitaker, then owner of The Marlow Review offered her a job as reporter, which she did for a couple of years. In September 2022, she returned to news when offered the managing editor/ general manager position at The Review until she retired in May of this year. Toni joined The Banner as a contract writer in July. Her work as a writer and photographer has been published in multiple award-winning publications, including The Dallas Morning News (AP pickup stories from The Banner), The Native American Times, Cowboys & Indians, and Oklahoma Today (while working at The Heritage Center). She also published a book, Riding The Chisholm Trail ‘Once in a Lifetime’ in 2009.
Awards include her news work (everything from education to sports), photography, and tourism.
TAMARA GREGOR
TONI HOPPER
Enter your ‘best made’ in the County Free Fair
STORY BY TONI HOPPER, PHOTOS BY JASON HODGES AND TONI HOPPER
Behind the scenes in the Exhibit Building at the Stephens County Free Fair is a force of women who assemble together hundreds of entries within hours the night before the fair opens each year.
While the faces and names have changed over the years, they all have one thing in common – they are members of the Oklahoma Home and Community Education program, in short, OHCE.
Sheila Ely has been a member for 66 years and has plenty of memories to share.
Her mother-in-law was a member of Farm Women’s Club, and encouraged Sheila, a young married homemaker and mom, to join.
“It was our responsibility to work at the fair,” Ely said.
In September 1959, Sheila began as a treasurer with OHCE. In those days, there were also District Fairs. OHCE groups would volunteer at those and then a week or two later, depending on the county fair schedule, they would work at county fair.
“We would bring three pies to make our money,” Ely said. “In the 1960s-70s, we cooked burgers in the kitchen, which wasn’t very good (the kitchen, not the burgers). J.D. Lockwood was our county director at that time. He saw how hot we were. We got a committee together, many of us had children in 4-H that were all about the same age. Lockwood pushed to get a cooling system in the kitchen. It was great, so cool.”
Invariably, to be a member of OHCE for more than six decades, you get involved in all aspects of the fair. For Sheila, that has included serving as Superintendent over Open Class and for OHCE exhibits.
“When you volunteer, you are over all of it,” she said. “Days before, they (fairgrounds staff) come and clean. I have to brag about them. Before, for
many years, we would come in and clean.”
She emphasizes there are so many people behind the scenes for the entire county fair to be a success. This year’s OHCE Open Class General Superintendent is Kay Gray of Comanche. Sheila has more experience than just working in the exhibit building. As a young mom, she was just as involved in the fair barns with her three children. It’s not unheard of for people to visit the fair to either just wander through the exhibit building, or just attend the 4-H and FFA livestock shows. The idea is to get all fair-goers to see everything at the fair when they have free time.
“At the same time, there’s cattle, sheep, hogs being shown,” Sheila says, recalling that her children showed steers. She also says many improvements have been made, especially in recent years. “The facilities, the groups and fair board, what they have done to the fairgrounds is amazing.”
Sheila recognizes that farming has changed, which has impacted the livestock show, but the biggest decrease in exhibits is mostly in the Open Class building.
“I’d say that the adult crafts, youth, photography, are 99% OHCE members,” she said. “Art exhibits are different (as are 4-H).”
Sheila urges all Stephens County residents, no matter which community they live in, to look at the county fair book in the Open Class division to see what they could enter for this year’s fair. Residents do not have to be a member of any group. Entries have steadily been declining and there is no fee to enter any of the handmade items in the Open Class exhibits. In fact, ribbon winners also get a little premium. If that isn’t enough to entice someone, Sheila shared some of her own memories.
“I was 10 when we moved to Velma
from Oklahoma City,” she said. “I was in 4-H. My dad was in the oilfield. I learned how to sew in high school.”
COMPETITION CRAFTS
“I had a neighbor and we both made western shirts. The kind with yolks, snaps and collars,” she said. “We competed. I never beat her, I was always second behind her. I miss her, Joy Parks. She’s gone now and was the post mistress for years at Velma. We had such a great time.”
Sheila made girl’s clothes, some from chicken feed sacks. She also learned canning after discovering she could make jellies. Later it was quilts.
“We want the community, the county, to know it’s not one organization that brings items to the county fair,” she said. “It is the people. There was one gentleman years ago, who did wood working and he brought things he had made. We want to bring people in, to bring their talents, crafts, canning, quilting. There is so much.”
Even though she’s been active in the county fair for most of her life, she still enjoys participating.
“My last two quilts I entered won Blue Ribbons,” she said. “One was a western theme; I made it for my son, Mark, he’s in his 50s. The other was a king size Christmas quilt. There’s a quilt shop in Blanchard that is fabulous. I got all the material for my son’s quilt from there. I went from making clothes in the ‘60s, to quilts. Last year, I entered two or three things and even won a second place ribbon for my barn quilt.”
Sheila served as state OHCE president from 1978-1980, and at the same time, her daughter, Sandy, was the State 4-H secretary. Her other grown daughter is Melinda.
“Our organization is growing and that is mostly because of Brenda Gandy-Jones,” Sheila said. “She started the barn quilt painting workshops and
we have gotten some new members, younger people. It really interests a lot of people. We also do community service activities, like working at the fair. That’s what makes it so wonderful. It’s so wonderful to see where we are and where we came from.”
Reflecting on the progress, she said that probably is another reason for a decrease in exhibits.
“Back then, we had home demonstrations, to learn how to can (foods). Women didn’t have vehicles back then.”
COUNTY FAIR ADDS NEW ‘EVENTS’
Brenda Gandy-Jones says new contests have been added this year to encourage participation from throughout the county. A Quilt Block Challenge has already been issued, and details are available on page 7 of the county fair booklet that can be obtained at the fairgrounds office, or found online as a pdf download. This contest is open to any resident of Stephens County and winners will be determined through a viewer’s choice vote. There’s only one catch –only 42 kits are available. There is a $5 registration fee that covers the kit supply. Any visitor to the fair can cast a vote for their favorite quilt block – all will be on display. After the fair, the quilt blocks will be made into a sampler quilt to be raffled off during the 2026 fair.
Also, a Coloring Contest, “That’s Some Fair” is available to youth, ages 3 to 18. There are five age groups and ribbons will be awarded for 1st through 5th place in each age group. Coloring sheets are at the Stephens County Extension Office at the fairgrounds. There’s also an Adults age group over 18.
DM
So why does she keep participating?
“My best memory … the people you meet. They all have the ability to do something, to learn. I miss Joy and making the shirts. She was such a dear friend.”
The Stephens County Fair
A historical look at its first 50 years
H.M. GARRETT LEADS CATTLE IN 1955 AT THE STEPHENS COUNTY FAIR. THE COUNTY FAIR BEGAN IN 1907 AND WAS ORIGINALLY CENTERED LARGELY AROUND LIVESTOCK EXHIBITIONS AND HORSE RACES.
The Stephens County Free Fair is older than Oklahoma statehood, by 23 days. When the Stephens County Fair first began in 1907, it was just called the county fair and its intent was largely livestock exhibitions and horse races. Today’s county fairs encompass a wide range of activities, making it the perfect family summer event. Fairs have always been the social event of the year with livestock shows, commercial vendors, open class and art
exhibits, music concerts, food and carnival rides.
The Stephens County Free Fair is the third oldest county fair in the state of Oklahoma. Leading the top five oldest county fairs is Payne County in Stillwater which began in 1890, and Cleveland County Free Fair in 1893. Canadian County held its first fair in 1914, and Mountain View Free Fair began in 1915. That was also the same year that Rep. Paul Nesbitt of McAlester initiated a bill
that allowed county commissions to operate free fairs, using tax money to pay event expenses.
Looking back at the archives of The Duncan Banner reveals how the Stephens County Fair began. In the July 5, 1907, newspaper, “County Fair Now Assured” was the first headline of this historic tradition celebrating its 118th year in 2025. A Stephens County Fair Association was formed, and these men were elected to serve: A.R. Biggs, president; J.T. Doak, vice
STORY BY TONI HOPPER | PHOTOS BY TONI HOPPER AND PROVIDED BY MATT BYERLY
president; W.L. Bumpass, secretary; H.L. Overton, treasurer; along with three directors.
The Board of Commission, also known as the county commissioners, approved a $25,000 capital investment, with the first “session” slated for October 1907. Later that month, July 26, an article detailed that $1,200 would cover a building that would seat 2,000 and measure 200 feet in length. A grandstand and race track were added to the site of the fair. Most interesting is that the articles were vague about the location of the fairgrounds, indicating it was possibly held in a downtown park, citing that fairgoers would have plenty of shade.
The idea of a Stephens County Fair even attracted attention from a fellow simply known as Uncle Phillip, in Montague, Texas, with a letter to the editor published in the Aug. 23, 1907, edition.
Much of the news over the next few weeks didn’t necessarily earn front page status. As the fair inched closer on the calendar, the news started gaining front page placement, “Great interest is centered in the first fair”
hailed an ad in the Sept. 27 edition. Dates were announced for Oct. 24, 25 and 26. Among the items set for the first fair included a Monkey Balloon Ascension, Live Alligator Shooting the Chute, a High Diving Dog and of course, the big livestock show. “Many
farmers have already begun to prepare their stock, poultry and farm products for exhibit.”
A lengthy list of premiums and a horse race program took up a large amount of real estate in the newspaper in September and October editions.
Purse premiums for the races ranged from $25 to $200. The fair boosted revenue for the newspaper with local merchants realizing the importance of promoting their businesses in connection with the county fair. One such merchant was Thomas and Williams, the Cash Hardware People, which took out a full page ad in several editions with a direct message to “Visitors to ‘The Fair’” in big bold type. They promised a $5 cash premium for the best brood sow and litter of pigs exhibited at the first county fair. “This offer is open to all.” Gilkey-Jarboe Hardware Company signaled its entrance to the county
fair, by telling Banner readers they would have a complete exhibition of hardware and home appliances from their store. This included everything from a Majestic Range, to a Sharples Cream Separator, to fancy silverware, and thus was born the commercial trade show. This merchant and many more sponsored the various premiums and prizes. W.T. Foreman offered $5 to the winner of the Best span brood mares under 8 years old, while the hardware company would give the winner of the Best Team Draft Mules a cook stove valued at $18. Prizes for handmade goods, such as quilts and hand drawn
images were secured. Rocking chairs were prizes for the best looking child ages 10 months to two-years-old, and cash went to parents of the best looking babies. The Banner offered $5 value of a five-year subscription to the winner of the largest sweet potato.
Seeing that the first county fair was deemed a success, it appeared there would be a second year with the biggest change being the dates, moving it to four-days Sept. 9-12. District fairs would be held about two weeks before and the best of the best from those fairs would go to the county fair for judging.
AN OLD FAIR ANGUS, PHOTOGRAPHED BY CORDELL STUDIO IN DUNCAN, OKLAHOMA.
In an Aug. 14 edition, one small paragraph “Boost the Fair” told readers that it was the duty of every Duncan and Stephens County resident to do everything possible for the success of the second county fair. Premiums increased from a total of about $2,500 to $4,000 in 1908, and then to $6,000 in 1909.That second year, it was estimated nearly 22,000 people attended the four-day fair. A post-observance in The Banner indicated that the horticulture and fancy needlework entries were not given the attention they deserved.
By 1909, a new city park opened which became the location of the county fair. At the third county fair, Gov. Charles N. Haskell spoke to the crowd on the opening day.
Fast forward to Aug. 17, 1923, the county fair was now a “free fair” and new features were added, including a Baby Conference, in which a health nurse from the state board would oversee a tent that served as a daycare. This gave mothers a chance to leave their children while they completed fair duties. Temperatures averaged 106 to 107.7 during that year of the fair. Also new to the fair was a wild west show with untamed broncos.
“‘These horses are the best I have ever seen or heard of for wild west performances,’ said Mr. Cox yesterday. ‘Many of them have never been ridden by the best riders in this part of the country who have tackled them and if they are ridden here during our Rodeo it will take the best riders in the world to do it.’
“World’s Best Riders: While it cannot be said at this time just who of the well known riders, ropers and other kinds of performers at frontier day events will be in Duncan for this show, it is already known that the entry card for every event will be well filled.” There was a drought that year, but County Agent Ben Harrison anticipated a better display of farm, garden and orchard trucks than any previous fair.
Even in the 1920s, the swine show attracted the most interest, with the number of stalls required going up yearly. In those days, the Marlow Chamber of Commerce had a band and it performed daily during the fair. Duncan Chamber of Commerce duties included bringing vaudeville
companies and securing the circus.
By 1957, a night livestock sale was also part of the fair program.
That year, it was reported that 650 county residents entered exhibits, including “home canned goodies by the hundreds and handicrafts of all assortments came pouring out of the horn of plenty today.”
Weather was always mentioned when it came to reporting the fair attendance. Page one headline told the story. “Rain Threat Trims Fair Crowd; Cool Weather Boon to Stock.” It
was obvious by this decade that the Stephens County Free Fair was going to be around for a really long time. The top beef cattle entries were lined up along with their owners and the judge for a grand photo that was published on the front page of the paper.
Sixty-eight years later, the fair is still going strong because the people of Stephens County show up to volunteer, to enter, and most of all, to have a great reunion and great time. The Banner hopes to see you at the county fair! DM
Times change, yet County Fair still remains ‘social event’ of the year
Imagine driving through a town and seeing a brightly colored large ferris wheel, and hundreds of vehicles at the county fairgrounds. A large electronic sign flashes its message of “free fair.” Next thing you know, you are driving through the gate.
It becomes a great stopping point for travelers, especially those with children. Parents are able to stretch their legs while their children explore the midway. It doesn’t cost anything to drive through the gate and visit. Many times though, before the family piles back in the car, they have contributed to the economy and leave with
happier children, a few food items and good memories. This could be true for long-distance travelers and local families looking for something to do.
Heather Kulbeth, Fairboard Secretary for the Stephens County Free Fair, says the carnival attracts a good amount of fair-goers and even welcomes people driving through town. “They see it and stop to visit the fair.”
Marking his seventh year, Matt Byerly has been director at Stephens County Fair & Expo Fairgrounds. Many casual fair visitors don’t realize how much work goes into producing the county fair. Byerly’s mission is
the same year-round, whether it is for the county fair or any of the events happening year-round: Get the people through the gate.
“We need at least two weeks to set up. Everyone takes a little more pride because it is for our hometown people and we cater to them.” Byerly says the county fair is where everybody knows somebody.
“What makes it fun is all the people I get to meet along the way, and my staff. The employees helped me through it and it has become much easier because everyone knows what needs to be done, especially when the Free Fair rolls around each year. It’s
STORY AND PHOTOS BY TONI HOPPER
GOAT SUPERINTENDENT LYLE ROGGOW, PICTURED RIGHT, WATCHES AS TWO COMPETITORS SHOW OFF THEIR ENTRIES IN A LIVESTOCK SHOW, DURING WHICH THEY RECEIVED RIBBONS.
almost another day for us, we all know what needs to be done and we just jump in and get it done.”
Adjustments made in recent years seem to have had a positive effect for everyone involved.
“The carnival is closer to the building to get more people to the vendors’ booths, but everybody has a different idea. We try to accommodate everybody and we try different things,” Byerly said. “Years ago, the county fair may have been the only thing to do. Now there’s so much to do, so much entertainment for the younger generations –(but) you just don’t see the turnout you used to have. So ... Heather and me and the guys (try) to put our heads together to see how we can make each year extra special to keep attracting the crowds.”
Byerly wants fairgoers to know there’s more than just one thing to see when visiting the Free Fair. To a casual observer, many of the attractions appear to be the same. Yet there are always variables and a lot of scheduling behind the scenes. Securing the carnival is one of the biggest issues in the calendar line-up.
“You’ve got to use an open mind every year. It can’t just be about the animals, it can’t just be about the booths and what people are selling,” Byerly said. “You have to offer a bigger attraction to get them in the gate. Sometimes it is a juggle because I’ve got to take care of a paying customer and the county. Even the fair board is willing to be flexible with me to have the fair.” Because of the carnival availability, the fair has moved closer to the middle of the month, whereas over the past two decades, it was held in the last week of August.
A nightly rodeo was also a steady attraction for decades, but that was taken off the activities list about four years ago, Byerly said.
“We do so many rodeos through the years. Those are a big responsibility and we had a rodeo during the fair, going for years. But the fair board wanted to move the animals into the main barn because it’s cooler. When you have around 300 animals, it is hard to have a rodeo.” As for the 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors, the hot Oklahoma summers are a stressor for the animals. Premiums are not as good for the county fair livestock show as they are for the big show in the winter.
And while the public knows the fair as a Free Fair, finances are necessary for the fair to survive.
“What we make on the fair, we have certain accounts. Like what we make off the carnival, that money carries over and takes care of the stock show in February. The carnival does really good, but we try to use it as a fundraiser,” Byerly said.
“Legally that week, the fairgrounds belong to the fair board. So I work for them that week. Everything from when to set up pens, to how they
want it to look and when to turn on the air conditioners and fans. They tell me what they want. It’s their ideas and brainstorming how they set up the fair. Obviously we know 90% of what they want. There are a lot of changes every year, like where they want the pigs or the cattle. Everyone works together.”
Byerly also credits OSU Extension Educator Brenda Gandy-Jones and her efforts overseeing the OHCE groups who maintain the exhibit rooms for the fair. “They do a lot for the fair, on the inside, how they want it set up, how they display the quilts and canning and more. They are also trying to incorporate new things to attract more people through the county. They will have a coloring contest this year too.”
A crowd favorite returns for its seventh year. “I’ll tell you what’s really big is the little kids tractor pull. That was one of those brainstorm ideas to put some fun back into it,” Byerly said. The Open Pedal Tractor Pull starts at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, for ages 4 to 12. It’s free to enter and free to watch. Trophies are awarded to the winners.
Improvements to the Fair & Expo Center and additional buildings are also generating more interest. County commissioners budget $20,000 each year dedicated strictly to the county fair. When the fair first began in 1907, that allotment was $25,000, a hefty amount. It was necessary then to construct a building. In 1915, a bill was passed on the state level so county fairs in Oklahoma would remain free to the community. Now with the $20,000 budget, and fundraising sponsorship, it covers premiums (prize money) and much more.
Nine fairboard members roll up their sleeves and serve as superintendents in the fair barn. They are Lyle Roggow, goat supt.; Michael White, swine; Jim Hill, sheep; Justin Parks, cattle; and serving as general superintendents, Jim Rochell, Jacob Hankins, Burt
GOAT SUPERINTENDENT LYLE ROGGOW HELPS A COMPETITOR WITH HIS ENTRY AT A PREVIOUS STEPHENS COUNTY FAIR LIVESTOCK COMPETITION.
Derryberry, Lynn Holt and Chad Abshire. From the Extension office, Shylan Milligan serves as poultry superintendent, Brenda Gandy-Jones as OHCE and Open Class superintendent, and Kaylie Renfro oversees 4-H Development. Commissioners Russell Morgan, Kreg Murphree and Todd Churchman also spend time on the grounds working prior to and during the fair.
“We have a very involved working committee, taking care of animals as they are being weighed and they are actually inside the arena working to make sure everything is going well,” Roggow said. “We all take time out of our schedules, handling complaints and issues, working to resolve those. Most of us are monitoring livestock. If you look at a county fair system, in general, it is designed with farm families in mind.”
Kulbeth has noted a downward trend in all exhibit entries. She encourages everyone to grab a fair book (also available online as a pdf) if they want to enter this year’s fair. In more recent years, entries would total about 1,400 or more. Last year, only 1,100 entries were registered. That included all exhibits from livestock to Open Class and 4-H. On the positive side, booked vendors were about the same or above. A county fair can be one of the most affordable means of marketing. Repeat commercial vendors, many from out of state, and even small home-town craft vendors continue to return each year to the Stephens County Free Fair.
Roggow has been involved with the fair for about 15 years. He grew up on a farm. Joining the fair board is about the future of a community. “It’s about investing in the value of agriculture and supporting the youth. My belief in putting my time, energy and effort into promoting the youth and those that develop the youth in our communities is basic development. Get them interested when they are young. They are the culture of our future workforce.”
Sponsorships are critical in keeping the fair going, today, just as it was in 1907. An estimated $20,000 is poured in from area businesses and private donations. All judges get a small payout, including those who volunteer for the exhibit building where OHCE, 4-H, Art and Open Class entries are
displayed.
“We also get money from the carnival, the vendors who set up booths, and all that goes back into the fair,” Roggow said. “ In a good year, if people spend their money, then we run a low budget.”
The exhibit building is a big hub of activity, including the kitchen and the best place to get homemade pie by the slice. It offers a cool place to retreat. A longtime fair favorite is the Pie Show open to anyone who thinks they can make the best pie. Judging is an open part of the show and standing room only indicates its popularity. In the kitchen, various groups take turns making and serving lunch and supper. This year, Comanche Ag Boosters, Comanche Homemakers, Stephens County Livestock Growers, Stephens County 4-H and Empire Ag Boosters will all have their turn in the kitchen.
Roggow realizes many people would prefer to have the fair later in August or even in September, but the logistics rarely fall into place for that to happen. “We have to work around other people’s schedules.” That’s in reference to the many events that book into the Fair & Expo Center year-round, which
serves as a boon to the local economy in attracting out-of-town guests.
As for dealing with a mid-August fair, when temperatures are 92 to 97 degrees in Duncan, Roggow said: “We speed things up when we have animals on the premises because of the heat. We don’t want them to spend any more time there than necessary.”
Livestock show animals are costly and spend most of their time inside cooler buildings. That’s one of the reasons the fair board has moved the livestock show from the smaller older building on the north end, to the Expo Center. At the time of this writing in mid-July, the expansion of the Expo Center was not yet completed. Roggow said once it is finished, it will provide even more opportunities for the county’s annual free fair and for year-round use.
“We are really excited as they finish the addition. It will help draw more events.”
806 West Main Street • Duncan, OK 73533 www.garycrisswellauctioneers.com garymcriswell@gmail.com DM
GARY CRISWELL
“Specializing in Real Estate & Estate Auctions”
GARY CRISWELL Auctioneer/Broker/REALTOR®
THE STAFF OF THE STEPHENS COUNTY FAIR AND EXPO CENTER.
Urgent Medical Care
Inspire and Empower Behind the scenes of the 23rd Annual Free Fair Pageant
STORY BY TAMARA GREGOR | PHOTOS BY JASON HODGES
While wearing confidence as a crown and keeping beauty in the heart, several young ladies have stepped up to represent Stephens County for over two decades during the annual free fair pageant.
The 23rd Annual Stephens County Free Fair Pageant will take place Aug. 2 at in the Conference Center of the Stephens County Fair and Expo Center in Duncan.
The inaugural pageant began in 2003 with three contestants vying for the title. This year, the competition will feature contestants in six age divisions.
Each year, contestants compete in interviews, casual wear and party wear. Additionally, a Miss Photogenic is chosen in each category from photos submitted.
In 2003, Kelli Baker, with the Stephens County Free Fair Pageant, said the 4-H agent at the time, Carla Ackley, brought the idea to host a pageant to the table. She said the
queen would earn a small cash scholarship, as well as serve as an ambassador for the fair.
“It was only for high school girls at the time and there were three contestants the first year,” Baker said.
During the inaugural pageant, Baker said her mother, Shirley Derryberry, was the secretary at the Stephens County Extension office. She said her mom set out to help Ackley.
Baker, also recruited by her mom, said the the first several pageant competitions were hosted around the first of August, just as it is today, although the winner was not announced until the fair opened.
With one year under their belts, Baker said a “Little Miss” title was added, prior to the queen crowning in 2004.
“The contestants simply came to fair in their party dress and did a little modeling,” she said.
Baker said the contestants talked about their favorite part of the
fair, then a winner was crowned.
The second queen named for 2004 was Casey Smith Schneider.
Schneider said the annual pageant still holds a special place in her heart.
“I was asked to be apart of it from the beginning,” she said. “I remember Carla asking me if I thought it would be something girls would join. Of course I said yes.”
While the pageant began as a fun way to meet new friends, Schneider said those who participated also learned new skills through the interview portion, as well as how to serve and inform the community about the free fair.
Aside from her involvement with 4-H and FFA growing up, Schneider said she loved every aspect of the free fair. She said she entered projects, set up displays, worked the concession stands, played farmhand Olympics and even volunteered to wear the crash dummy suits.
Schneider said she also enjoyed the fair time with friends. She said the
LAST YEAR’S STEPHENS COUNTY FAIR PAGEANT ENTRANTS. THIS YEAR’S SHOW WILL TAKE PLACE AUG. 2.
fair is more than just rides and food –there’s an array of shows and events to see simply by attending.
The inaugural pageant took place prior to the 2004-05 school year.
Schneider said she was 17 years old and going into her senior year of high school.
Even after 20 years, Schneider said she remembers soaking in the moment and just thinking, “I did it, I won.”
“I loved the county fair and every year I was so ready to spend the week at the show barns,” she said. “This was the moment I realized I would have even more responsibilities for my senior year of high school. Pretty sure that day I started my list of project entries and how many lambs I would show.”
Schneider said she volunteered her time as judge for the pageant a few times.
For new contestants, Schneider said the pageant helps to teach younger girls what it means to represent their community, as well as themselves.
“Pageants like this provide the confidence for interviews and skills to interact with other people they may not have the chance to otherwise,” she said. “I’m thankful the opportunity was given to me to serve my community all those years ago.”
She said she learned a lot of life lessons through participating in the pageant and fair over the years.
“I’ve had success in management positions at many jobs and as a military spouse, I’ve understood what it takes to speak and show confidence when needed,” she said.
Schneider said she can now look forward to the pageant and free fair because she gets the opportunity to share this time with her own kids.
After Ackley transferred to another county, Baker said Jeannie Bowden, who worked as the fair board secretary at the time, took on the pageant. She said she stayed on to help along with Derryberry.
The third year of the pageant brought a few more changes in 2005 as the organizers navigated health issues and new leadership took on the pageant, Baker said.
In 2006, the mother-daughter duo returned and the Little Miss category
COUNTY FAIR PAGEANT HALL OF FAME
2003
Miss– Amber Skinner, VA
2004
Miss-Casey Smith, VA
Little Miss– Brianna Walker, Comanche
2005
Miss– Lindsey Canoy, Comanche
Junior Miss-Sasha Shelton, Duncan
Little Miss– Braylee Henry, VA
2006
Miss– Caili Knecht, Central High
Little Miss– Jasmine Muchow, VA
2007
Miss– Mackenzie Peyton, Central High
Junior Miss– Kenzy Kinnaird, Comanche
Mini Miss– Hannah Looney, Duncan
Little Miss– Morgan Williams, VA
2008
Miss– Abby Hankins, Central High
Junior Miss– Kristin Whisenhunt, Central High
Mini Miss– Brianna Walker, Comanche
Little Miss– Lilian Smith, Marlow
Petite Miss– Kaelen Estep, Duncan
2009
Miss- Dylan Ferrell, Comanche
Junior Miss- Kaila Williams, Empire
Mini Miss– Natalee Karcher, Comanche
Little Miss– Emma Herring, VA
Petite Miss– Carson Baker, Central High
2010
Miss– Shelby Rice, VA
Junior Miss– Megan Heinrich, Bray-Doyle
Mini Miss– Aubrey Bowden, Marlow
Little Miss– Gabriella Oster, Central High
Petite Miss– Brighton O’Conner, Comanche
2011
Miss– Haley Travis, Marlow
Junior Miss– Natalee Karcher, Comanche
Mini Miss– Ensley Kohout, Comanche
Little Miss– Kasi Kelly, Comanche
Petite Miss– Kylie Roden, Comanche
2012
Miss- Allison Christian, Duncan
Junior Miss– Aubrey Bowden, Marlow
Mini Miss– Miranda Dougherty, Central High
Little Miss– Payton Ortega, Marlow
Petite Miss– Raylen Parks, Empire
2013
Miss—Hayden Travis, Marlow
Junior Miss—Abbey Gammill, Duncan
Young Miss—Taylor Battles, Central High
Mini Miss—Alix Standridge, Central High
Little Miss—Emaleigh Parks, Empire
Petite Miss—Kinlee Scott, Central High
2014
Miss—Montana McGill, Empire
Junior Miss—Meagan Morriston, Marlow
Young Miss—Treasure Gibbs, Duncan
Mini Miss—Vivian Shipley, Central High
Little Miss—Marlea Wright, Central High
Petite Miss—Addilen Wright, VA
2015
Miss—Brooke Morriston, Marlow
Junior Miss—Jessica Farmer, Central High
Young Miss—Gracee Rhoades, Marlow
Mini Miss—Allie Hale, Central High
Little Miss—Daylee Hall, VA
Petite Miss—Trenity Gibbs, Duncan
2016
Miss—Aubrey Bowden, Duncan
Junior Miss—Olivia Cantwell, Marlow
Young Miss—Lily Taylor, Central High
Little Miss—Addelin Wright, VA
Petite Miss—Kristen Boles, Marlow
2017
Miss—Shelby Watkins, Comanche
Junior Miss—Emma Herring, VA
Mini Miss—Daylee Hall, VA
Little Miss—Adley Castor, VA
Petite Miss—Trelicity Gibbs, Duncan
2018
Miss—Ryleigh Watkins, Comanche
Junior Miss—McKenzie
Holmes, Marlow
Mini-Miss—London Smith, Empire
Little Miss—Abbigail Billings, Duncan
Petite Miss—Brodie VanKirk, Marlow
2019
Miss—Michala Owens
Junior Miss—Mackenzie Ebenhack
Mini-Miss—Blakely Tanner
Little Miss—Berklee Rakett
Petite Miss—Kambree Davies
2020
Miss—Carson Baker, Central High
Junior Miss—Lily Taylor, Central High
Mini Miss—Paisley Thorne, Marlow
Little Miss—Kennedy Guajardo, Comanche
Petite Miss—Paxton Thorne, Marlow
2021
Miss—Olivia Churchman, Central High
Junior Miss—Abbigail Billings, Duncan
Young Miss—Lizzy Derryberry, Marlow
Mini-Miss—Courtlyn Taylor, Comanche
Little Miss—Graycie Farris, Central High
Petite Miss—Olivia Trimble, Central High
2022
Miss—Lily Taylor, Central High
Junior Miss—Adley Castor, VA
Young Miss—Kimber McCarley, Central High
Mini-Miss—Kalvary McCarley, Central High
Little Miss—Paxton Thorne, Marlow
Petite Miss—Kimber Armstrong, Comanche
2023
Petite Miss—Stevie Derryberry
Little Miss—Bryer Graham
Mini-Miss—Faith Thompson
Young Miss—Kendall Sanner
Junior Miss—Berklee Rackett
Miss—Kenley Lemons
2024
Petite Miss— Miss Chandler Knutson
Little Miss— Miss Dalice Hunt
Mini-Miss— Olivia Trimble
Young Miss— Braylee Kenny
Junior Miss— Zara Ozaltin
Miss— Ashtin Anderson
was added to the lineup.
Baker said the following year, in 2007, her and her mom officially took over the pageant as directors.
“We added more age groups and other awards, such as best party wear, best casual wear and most photogenic,” she said. “The talent portion, which had previously been required, became an optional category and was scored separately from the overall competition.”
In 2009, Baker said the fair board allowed the crowning of the queens to take place at the pageant.
“At that time there was a talent show at the fair, so the queens were introduced and given their queen jacket and cash award,” she said.
Baker said they eventually brought on her sister Staci Derryberry, to join in the pageant fun and serve as the emcee.
Additionally, Kim Davis, Kathy Shorter and Lavonna Condit, former Stephens County Extension employees, have continued to volunteer with the pageant over the years.
Baker said they recruited her daughters, Carson and Chandler Baker, as well as a friend, Kaila Williams.
“They have all grown up helping at the pageant, competed, and Carson and Kaila have both worn the crown,” Baker said. “We are really preparing the younger girls to ‘take over’ at some point, I’m not sure if they realize that.”
The main goal of the pageant is to crown queens to serve as fair ambassadors.
“They make appearances at events, at the fairgrounds, ride in Fourth of July and Christmas parades, help with the fair and Junior Livestock show each spring,” she said.
Baker said they see the pageant as a way for the girls to have fun and build confidence at the same time.
“Of course everyone wants to ‘win,’ but I tell them every year — at the end of the day, we are going to have five really happy girls,” she said.
Lily Taylor, a three-time queen, said winning the pageant three times was quite a surprise.
“My last year doing it I was
honestly not expecting it at all,” she said. “I was pretty emotional about it.”
Taylor said she started participating in the pageant in the fourth grade in 2016.
“I won Young Miss Stephens County my first year and I never expected to love it as much as I did,” she said. “I continued to do it after my reign was over, and won Junior Miss Stephens County in 2020, my second time competing for that title.”
Taylor said she was older for her second win and she took in the experience more.
“I truly enjoyed all of the responsibilities that came along with the title, from rodeos to livestock shows – I loved it all,” she said. “I knew already I wanted to compete for Miss Stephens County, so I did as soon as I was eligible.”
Taylor said the first year she competed for Miss Stephens County, she won.
“It was kind of surreal knowing that it was my last time competing in something I truly found joy in doing,” she said. “The Free Fair Pageant is and was one of the greatest opportunities I have had the privilege to participate in.”
Taylor said the pageant may not be as large as Miss Oklahoma or Miss
America, but the feeling is the same.
“The feeling of winning the title of your county is something I will never forget,” she said. “I will forever cherish the friendships and memories I made doing the Stephens County Free Fair Pageant, and for me, my absolute favorite thing I will forever remember are the smiles of the little girls that looked up to me.”
Baker said she encourages the girls to focus on finding their best self, to gain confidence and have fun.
“We have had so many girls that have entered the pageant several times and seeing them go from being scared to death and almost in tears when they walk into the interview room one year to approaching the interview with confidence a couple of years later is what makes the time we spend worthwhile,” she said. “They also work on poise and personal presentation.”
Baker said she feels the skills the girls learn during the pageant can be used later in life when they interview for scholarships, college or future careers.
Depending on the number of entries for the pageant, Baker said there’s five or six categories every year.
For the 23rd annual pageant, there will be five age groups.
THE 2024 STEPHENS COUNTY FREE FAIR QUEENS.
Allison Christian, 2012 pageant queen, said she feels honored to return as a judge for the Free Fair Pageant.
“Growing up in Duncan, this event has always been a meaningful part of the community,” Christian said. “As a former titleholder, I know firsthand how pageants can build confidence, communication skills and lifelong friendships.”
Christian said participating in these pageants in any type of way is special.
To get the opportunity to come full circle, Christian said feels extra special since she gets to support the next generation of young women in these roles.
Stephens County Free Fair 2024 Pageant Queen Ashtin Anderson currently wears the crown and serves as an ambassador for the county fair.
Anderson said entering the free fair pageant and winning the queen title was exciting.
“I have loved being able to represent my community and the Stephens County Free Fair has given me an opportunity to do just that,” Anderson said. “The pageant means so much to be because it allowed me to create friendships across Stephens County that I would not have had before.”
Anderson said the pageant also gave her the chance to serve her community in ways she wouldn’t have had the chance to do otherwise.
Tickets for the pageant are $5 for ages 4 and older and can be purchased at the Stephens County Fairgrounds office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, until Aug. 1. Advance purchase of a ticket is required and no tickets will be available at the door.
The doors will open for the Free Fair Pageant at 1:10 p.m. Aug. 2 and competition will begin at 1:30 p.m. The contestants will have their interviews Saturday morning.
Plant lovers encouraged to enter county fair’s horticulture show
PHOTOS AND STORY BY TONI HOPPER
Jackie Neely is on a mission. Now in her second year of serving as superintendent of the Horticulture division at the Stephens County Free Fair, she encourages everyone to get involved. Jackie, known for her beautiful quilts, loves to garden and maintain house plants. Stephens County Free Fair is celebrating its 118th year in 2025, barely a seedling when you consider that the history of horticulture, the cultivation of plants, traces back more than 20,000 years.
As a longtime member of the Comanche Garden Club, Jackie anticipates a great turnout for entries, since this has been a good year with the rain. She was also a member of the Marlow Patio Garden Club, but said she is balancing her club activities as she takes on new projects, like the county fair role.
“I’ve been slowing down, pitching stuff off. Flower shows are so competitive, but a fair is just for fun.”
Jackie’s mission is to encourage anyone who enjoys plants to enter their container gardens, terrariums, potted plants, cacti and succulents, cut flowers and more into this year’s fair.
Last year, she requested there be a junior division for Open Class Horticulture and even conducted a workshop for the youth. Open Class is open to anyone who has a hobby such as baking, canning or crafts they would like to show. While many know about the 4-H exhibits, not all youth are members of a 4-H club. Open Class allows anyone in the community the chance to join in the fair festivities without doing anything more than entering their items in the right categories.
“Get the fair book. They need a book,” she said. Whether this would be your first year, or a repeat, that fair book will help you decide what
you can enter. Sometimes categories are removed if they don’t gain any interest after a few years.
Jackie hopes to have a workshop around the end of July for anyone who would like to attend.
“You need to know how to prepare and groom your plants. I thought about bringing in OHCE groups, we have three of them here in the county. Gotta get them fired up.”
She shared some tips about what people can do if they are thinking
about entering the Open Class Horticulture division.
“We’ve had stuff brought in that was half dead. People don’t know.
Before you take it to Duncan to the county fair, get all the dead out,” she says. That goes for potted plants, terrarium and container gardens, anything plant related. If it is a blooming plant, it helps if it is blooming, or at least green and attractive.
“There’s also the elements of
JACKIE NEELY, PICTURED WITH SOME OF HER FLOWERS, IS IN HER SECOND YEAR AS SUPERINTENDENT OF THE HORTICULTURE DIVISION OF THE COUNTY FAIR.
(ABOVE)
NEELY SHOWS OFF SOME OF HER OWN HORTICULTURE PROJECTS. (RIGHT) HORTICULTURE ENTRIES AND RIBBON RECIPIENTS FROM A PREVIOUS HORTICULTURE COMPETITION AT THE STEPHENS COUNTY FAIR.
design, you can choose a teacup arrangement. Make sure your pot is not chipped or cracked. This is a show, you want them to shine. You don’t just want an old black pot from the store or nursery. Be creative. Some people put them in figurines, there are categories for that.” She quickly scrolled through photos on her cellphone to show ideas, ranging from vintage lady head vases to unusual vases and more.
Encouraging youth to enter, she offers ideas like adding little toys into their arrangements. The only thing that can’t be fake is, of course, the actual plants. In years past, there have been tiny plastic horses, dinosaurs and even a miniature scene featuring a farmer, tractor and dog stuck into the soil around the plants.
“You do have to buy or grow it for three months before the fair or have it. Avoid just going to a store and buying
something the week before the fair. It has to be in bloom (if entering a blooming category item).”
Before Jackie became a superintendent, she secured a Best of Show three years ago. She had a teacup and saucer arrangement. She can still enter, since she is not the one who judges. All entry tags bear the name of the entrant, but that part is hidden from the judge, so all entries are treated equally without the identity of the person who submitted the plant, or for that matter, any item in the Open Class categories.
“There’s so many categories, so if you are the only one who enters a certain category, you might win first place. There is a category for a one-stem rose, or a cluster, like crapemyrtles, but they wilt so fast. You can do a summer bouquet, dried arrangements and even roadside. Go out and gather sunflowers.
Roadside (arrangements) don’t have to look perfect, but they should look appealing to the eye.”
Superintendent duties include long hours before the fair ever opens. Jackie spends about seven hours on entry day, making sure the volunteers are getting each horticulture entry in the right division and category. “As superintendent, Wednesday is a long night.” She also comes in each day of the fair to check all the displays and make sure plants look good and have enough water.
“I tell people, make sure there’s no bugs, no dead leaves, clean your plants up. You want people to look at it and say, ‘That is a good looking plant.’”
Jackie said there are many reasons for entering the horticulture show. “The love of plants, watching them grow, then you get to enter and show them off. There are some big horticulture people here in Stephens County.”
She is hopeful this year’s rains will yield great entries for the horticulture categories. In recent years, the drought and grasshoppers have not been good for horticulturists. “Maybe this year will be better of course.”
“I think people love their plants and love to show them. Succulents are really popular. I’m not a good succulent mother. I overwater, you just have to ignore them,” she said.
Two assistants classify the entries, then Jackie divides them for the judges, making sure adult and youth are separated. “It really doesn’t start until the judge gets there.” And that happens after the deadline for entries.
“They just have to show up and they should know what their plant is,” she said. This speeds up the categorizing, which is the reason for people to have the fair book. She said it’s okay if someone isn’t too sure what category their plant should be, in case they really don’t know. Jackie and her assistants all have years of fair experience, both as entrants and categorizing.
Last year, Virginia LaQuey of Duncan, entered a terrarium, and won a first place blue ribbon. “She had never done one before,” Jackie said. Virginia, 82, said it was actually the first time she had ever entered anything in the county fair.
“I saw Jackie in Walmart. She was gathering plans, she was going to do a workshop for the 4-H youth on terrariums. She invited me and I went and watched.” Virginia realized she had a large vintage glass Tom’s Peanut jar with a lid that her brother-in-law had given her. “I thought, why not. This seems like fun. I was amazed to see the blue ribbon. I only entered one. I had attended, but never entered.”
Terrariums were popular in her younger days in the 1970s-80s. While terrariums are mostly closed, there’s a trend also toward open terrariums. “Plants are supposed to expire, and inspire moisture, to keep it going. You have to have a balance of plants that work well together.” Virginia’s winning terrarium included African Violets from a florist, some “grassy looking things,” stones with positive messages, a creeping fig and a fun decor item. “I had a ceramic mushroom in there.”
Gardening and plants
have always interested Virginia. She’s visited many wellknown gardens throughout the country, including a trip to Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, where she saw several ideas of terrariums. Virginia admits that she hasn’t put forth enough effort into her gardening this season and hasn’t decided what to enter.
“If people are exposed and encouraged to try, that is what got me interested,” Virginia said as she reflected on that one workshop. She said people shouldn’t be afraid to try. Virginia was also impressed by the quality of youth entries. “There are some really good junior exhibits.”
Jackie said for many who enter the horticulture division, it begins months before. In April, OHCE hosts a seed swap. Anyone who lives in the Comanche and Empire district can enter the Comanche District Fair. While not horticulture related, Jackie shared a memory that just goes to show the fair is about fun and it’s fair game for all. “Last year I had a quilt in the Comanche fair and it was ‘Best of Show.’ I took it to the big county fair and got nothing.” She laughs, because she knows that every judge is different, and they are looking at the entries, not who entered them. And that’s another fun part. The day the county fair opens, anyone exploring the Open Class rooms will be able to see who entered and won. You might be surprised to see many familiar names, maybe even neighbors you didn’t know had a certain talent or hobby. Or maybe even your own entry will have a ribbon.
Fair books are available at the Stephens County Fairgrounds & Expo Center’s main office, 2002 S. 13th St., and on the website as a pdf download. Visit stephenscountyfairandexpocenter.com and look for Download Fair Book 2025. DM
I’m
Serving House District 51 and leading the House Energy Committee has been an incredible honor,
I am ready to continue that work on a statewide level.
As Corporation Commissioner, I’ll fight every day to protect our Oklahoma ratepayers, support our oil, natural gas, and utility industries, and ensure that Oklahoma remains a national leader in energy production, economic development, and job creation.
Call today for your FREE
Consult
A TASTE OF HOME
THE STEPHENS COUNTY FAIR’S PIE SHOW IS SUCH AN ATTRACTION THAT ONE FAMILY HAS FOUR GENERATIONS COMPETE. THE FAMILY INCLUDES KAY GRAY, TAMMY GRAY, LACEY FARRIS, KANDI SKEEN, GRAYCIE AND WYATT FARRIS AND HAZEN SKEEN.
Pie contest draws family generations to bake-off
STORY BY TAMARA GREGOR | PHOTOS BY TAMARA GREGOR, JASON HODGES AND SUBMITTED
Sweet and savory aromas of freshly baked pies will fill the fairgrounds once again for the annual pie show at the county fair this August.
After entering the pie contest for several years, Kay Gray’s great granddaughter decided she wanted to win an apron too, which prompted four generations to compete.
To prepare for the contest, the family began to mix together ingredients from recipes passed down through several generations.
Traditionally, the annual pie contest at the county fair brings community members to the Stephens County Fairgrounds to showcase their best pie recipes. The same is the case for four generations of one family who decided to compete alongside each other for another year.
The lineup looked something like this: First generation, Kay Gray, mother, granny and great-granny; second generation, Tammy Gray, mother and Gigi; third generation, Lacey Farris, mother; Kandi Skeen, mother; and fourth generation, Graycie and Wyatt Farris, Hazen Skeen, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.
Kay Gray, matriarch, is a member of the Stephens County Oklahoma Home
and Community Education group, Comanche Homemakers Club, and is on the Stephens County Fair Superintendent, fair committee and 4-H volunteer.
Tammy Gray and Lacey Farris are members of Comanche Homemakers Club and Graycie Farris and Wyatt Farris are 4-H members.
Kay Gray, great-grandmother, said she’s proud of her family for participating in the contest last year.
In August 2024, Kay said her great grand daughter, Graycie, wanted to enter the pie contest because she wanted to win an apron.
Kay said Graycie was very enthusiastic to enter the pie show, because she wanted to win an apron like her great-grandmother had previously. Kay said once Graycie became involved, Graycie got her mom, grandmother and brother involved.
Kay, a collector of rolling pins, said it’s a family tradition to enter the pie contest.
“We try to look for recipes that are a little bit different,” she said.
Last year, Kay said Wyatt made a birthday cake pie.
Kay said she utilizes one of her mother’s recipes. She said most recipes they use are from a newspaper, magazine or something they saw on the Internet
they liked.
“Egg custard was one of my dad’s favorites,” Kay said. “It’s a unique pie.”
In passing down these recipes from generation to generation, Kay said it’s an art to share the love for baking.
“To make a pie crust, to put a filling in it and make it look good,” she said. “It’s so pretty when you get it finished with the meringue on it and put a curl on top.”
Kay said baking teaches patience. “It may look hard, but it’s not that hard to do,” she said. “It just takes time.”
Kay said their little hands work really well.
In 2024, Graycie took home the “Best Pie Maker” prize, and Tammy Gray, Lacey Farris and Wyatt Farris each took home blue ribbons. Wyatt took home second and fourth as well.
Tammy Gray, grandmother, said Graycie Farris was inspired by great-grandmother Kay to start baking pies two years ago.
“Not knowing there was an apron as a prize the first year, Graycie then had her eye on the prize,” Tammy said. “Next year, with the help of Granny Kay, Graycie makes more pies and wins the apron.”
With inspiration from her grandkids, Tammy Gray said she decided she would bake a pie.
“Then, Lacey and Kay were talked into making a pie with us,” Tammy said. “All four generations entered a total of 10 pies in the pie contest.”
Tammy said the process was stressful, comical, tiring, costly and a very good
THE
YOUNGER GENERATIONS LEARN FROM THE FAMILY MATRIARCH HOW TO PREPARE THEIR PIES, WHICH THEY WILL ENTER INTO THE COUNTY FAIR’S ANNUAL PIE CONTEST.
learning experience for the family, but through it all it was a lot of fun.
“We each had a first place pie, but Miss Graycie won the apron again for best pie,” Tammy said. “I guess she is taking after her Granny Kay.”
With inspiration and motivation from their great-grandmother, Graycie and Wyatt wanted to make more than just pies, Tammy said.
“We strive to continue passing on down to generations to come,” Tammy said.
Tammy said the family had a good time last year making pies together.
“You really have to think about what
the judges are going to think about your pie,” Tammy said.
Last year, Tammy said the kids saw a photo of a birthday cake pie they wanted to make.
When making unique pies, Tammy said they thought the birthday pie would catch the judges’ attention, but it didn’t work out.
Nevertheless, Tammy said the kids learned how to take criticism, as well as positive feedback.
This year, Tammy said they planned ahead for what they need to bake multiple pies.
The family will add two more to the
pie contest this year.
Tammy said she’s learned a lot from her mom to pass down to her kids. She said they always make things from scratch which came from her mother.
While making a pie crust can be intimidating at first, Tammy said it eventually becomes easier.
Lacey Farris, mother, said it was exciting to get the opportunity to enter the competition this year with the family last year.
“Especially since my granny, Kay, loves to bake all the time,” she said. “She has showed me how to do it and she’s shown my children how to do it.”
Lacey said Graycie’s desire to follow in Kay’s baking footsteps made her want to do it as well.
Lacey said her son, Wyatt, jumped on board to learn the art of baking and to learn about cooking, baking, entering pies and watching the judges.
Lacey said its exciting to get to participate with the family. She said she always allows her kids to pick the flavor of the pie or the kind of pie to make.
“They really look forward to doing it,” she said.
For her second pie contest, Lacey said she looks forward to continuing to learn from her mom and grandma.
“It’s interesting to listen to the judges comments,” she said.
When it comes to baking pies, Lacey said every ingredient is different.
“There’s 20 different flours, so it makes a difference on what you use (and) the weather outside,” she said. “It’s learning the whole entire process of it all.”
Lacey said she looks forward to keep the tradition alive as it’s something fun to do with the kids.
“It’s something they do enjoy,” she said. “They do look forward to doing it.”
Joining the family this year is Tammy’s daughter, Kandi Skeen and her son, Hazen Skeen.
Kandi said Hazen is six years old and wanting to learn to cook.
“My granny, Kay, she has always done that with us from when we were little enough to be in the kitchen,” she said. “He’s really interested in it.”
Last year, Kandi said Hazen went to nationals for the tractor pull. She said now he’s in love with the fair and entering projects.
“We’re going to join the rest of the crew with the pie contest,” she said.
Kandi said they look forward to keeping the tradition alive with baking pies together. She said she kind of sees it as a competition to see if the family can bake as well as Kay.
“I don’t know if we’ll be able to do it,” she said.
Kandi said Kay has always excelled at baking and she’s tried to pass it on through the generations. She said
they’ve all been in 4-H and it’s a learning step.
Kay said it felt good to see the family take home prizes and ribbons.
“It was a really good experience for all of us,” she said.
Kay said Graycie uses a lot of her recipes. She said the pecan pie that won was her mother’s recipe, which means it was Graycie’s great-great-grandmother’s recipe.
Kay still utilizes her grandmother Hilderbrand’s recipe for egg custard pie. Kay Gray said her grandmother would make the pie with fresh milk. She said she would enter her canning in the Comanche Fair as well.
The traditional pie show typically brings an assortment of flavors to the judges table, ranging from chocolate to pecan, pumpkin, berry, custard, lemon, strawberry and meringue pies.
Among these delicious pies, the contest brings bragging rights for the next year.
The pie contest will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15 at the Stephens County Fairgrounds. Participants need to enter pies between 2 and 2:45 p.m. Aug. 15.
Pies will be judged on texture of the crust, filling and general appearance. No mixes may be used. A recipe will need to accompany the pie for topping, filing and crust and all cream pies must include meringue.
JUDGES LOOK OVER PIE ENTRIES AND PREPARE TO SAMPLE THEM AT THE 2024 STEPHENS COUNTY FAIR’S PIE CONTEST.
FACES
COUNTY WELCOMES SUMMER WITH FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS
Stephens County residents welcomed the dog days of summer with a multitude of Fourth of July celebrations. Celebrations pictured include the traditional Marlow Fourth of July parade and accompanying festival in Redbud Park as well as the Red, White and BOOM family event hosted by City of Duncan.
Photos by TONI HOPPER and TAMARA GREGOR
DUNCAN THROUGH
A LENS
PARTING SHOT
THE STEPHENS COUNTY FREE FAIR ALWAYS BRINGS A CARNIVAL TO THE FAIRGROUNDS AND THIS YEAR’S EVENT WILL BE NO EXCEPTION. ATTENDEES WILL GET TO ENJOY RIDES, FOOD AND MORE FROM AUG. 13-16.
PHOTO BY JASON HODGES
