The Decatur County Forestry Pageant has been revived and will be held Oct. 20 at the Decatur County Memorial Coliseum in Bainbridge.

The pageant’s organizers, Valerie Faircloth and Jessica Thompson, decided to bring back the pageant because of its history and the impact of the forestry industry in Southwest Georgia.

The Georgia Forestry Pageant is the oldest scholarship pageant in the state, dating back to the 1940s. After more than 70 years of service, the pageant continues to support scholastic endeavors, as well as promote the importance of the forestry industry on a local, state and national level.

The pageant will be dedicated in honor of Ronnie Martin, retired chief ranger with the Georgia Forestry Commission’s Decatur County unit. All of the proceeds for the pageant’s “Miss Hospitality” contest will benefit Martin to help with medical expenses he has incurred while being treated for lung cancer. He is credited with having served many years with both the Forestry Commission and for his support of the Decatur County Forestry Pageant through the years.

 

Pageant details

The Decatur County Forestry Pageant is a qualifying pageant for the Miss Georgia Forestry Pageant and is open to any girls living in Southwest Georgia.

Girls who enter the pageant will compete in seven age groups, from Baby (0-23 months) all the way up to Miss (17 to 23 years). Contestants ages 9 and younger will wear heirloom/Sunday style dresses.

Applications are available by e-mailing missdecaturcountyforestry@gmail.com or can be picked up in person at the temporary Bainbridge City Hall on the downtown square, Polka Dots, Southern Belle and Sweet Tea Day Spa and Boutique.

For more information on the pageant, visit www.decaturcoforestrypageant.webs.com or search for Decatur County Forestry Pageant on Facebook. Interested parents may also contact Mrs. Thompson at  or (229) 220-3968, or Mrs. Faircloth at (229) 220-1226.

 

About the organizers

Both Faircloth and Thompson have an extensive background in pageantry and are both past Decatur County Forestry queens. They are excited to share this opportunity with young girls throughout the local community.

Valerie Faircloth is married to Roger Faircloth and the couple have two children, Ben and Valley. She is the owner of Sweet Tea Day Spa and Boutique.

Thompson is married to Tim Thompson and the couple have two children, Cason and Loghan. She is employed with the City of Bainbridge and serves as an administrative assistant with the city’s Community and Economic Development Division.