Bonni Booker
1979 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen
Twentieth Anniversary Dairy Festival,
In 1979, Featured First Event For The
Hopkins County Civic Center
by: Bobby McDonald
After years of sweltering heat and braving the crowded conditions of the Old Junior High School Gymnasium, the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Association was more than ready to unveil their first production on the stage of the new Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. There wasn't curtains on the stage yet, and many other amenities were lacking, but "the show had to go on!"
The new Hopkins County Regional Civic Center stage had no curtains, and other amenities, but members of
the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board were intent on having the pageant in the newly constructed building
after suffering for years in the "cramped" quarters of the Junior High School Gymnasium.
The year 1979 found Hopkins County dealing with inflation and gas rationing was a possibility due to the Middle East Oil Crisis, being overseen by President Jimmy Carter. The Banks Company in Sulphur Springs was offering a "Bargain Buy" sale on their General Electric Clothes Dryers, for only $209.00 each. And, Sulphur Springs Furniture Company was offering their Bemco Chiro-Posture Mattresses for only $159.95. The local Safeway store was hosting a "Winner's Jackpot Sale," where grocery shopping patrons received a game piece with every purchase!
Quicky Foods was featuring Wolfe Brand Chili for only 99 cents a can and eggs were 59 cents a dozen. Quaker Life Cereal was $1.15 a box and pork chops were only $1.28 a pound. Coffee was $2.59 a can and ground beef demanded a price of $1.48 a pound. Bacon was $1.39 a pound and whole chicken breasts were featured at $1.09 a pound.
Bevis Pontiac Olds Cadillac was featuring a 1979 Olds Delta 88 automobile for $6,395.00 or you could choose the popular 1979 Olds Cutlass for just $6,895.00. Meanwhile, on Gilmer Street, Price Ford Sales was touting their very popular 1979 Ford Thunderbird for $5,188.00, and they offered 50 gallons of free gasoline "if they couldn't meet or beat any bona fide deal!"
A gallon of milk was featured at $1.59 a gallon in 1979, and a Totino's, 13 oz. Sausage and Cheese Pizza was only 89 cents. Three loaves of bread could be purchased for $1.00 and three sixteen-ounce cans of Pork & Beans were only 88 cents. Buttermilk was at 75 cents for a half-gallon carton and Lucerne All-Dairy Dips were featured for $1.00. "Sundae" yogurt was four for one dollar, for a special "dairy time" treat!"
Adult entertainment in Sulphur Springs featured The Market Club, where Pat Minter and "Reign" was performing, and featured Bobbie Minter in special vocals. Cokes were a six-pack for $1.29, on special, and Pepsi Cola could be purchased 6 cans for 97 cents.
"Kramer vs Kramer" topped the movie list of 1979, grossing $99,982,763.00 nationally. "The Muppet Movie" grossed $76,657,000.00 and "The Electric Horseman" grossed over $61 million. Other popular hits "on the big screen" included: "Love at First Bite," "The Main Event," "Manhattan," "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," and a western called "The Black Stallion." Showing at the Mission Theater, the week of Dairy Festival was "National Lampoon's Animal House," and the Hi-Vue Drive-In featured "Silver Streak" and "The Big Bus."
And, if you were "grounded" and spending some quality time at home with your parents, you simply turned on the tube and watched a "delightful" array of shows. Top selections in 1979 included: "Three's Company," "Flo," "Trapper John, M.D.," "The Jeffersons," "One Day At A Time," "Archie Bunker's Place," "Taxi," "Little House on the Prairie," or "CHIPS." "Happy Days" was still popular and a pair of young outlaws had "taken over the screen," with their famous car, "The General Lee," on "The Dukes of Hazard." However, one of the most sought after T.V. shows included a place that would become very famous nationally, as the world tuned in weekly for "Dallas," just to see what dastardly deal J.R. Ewing was "cooking up" that week from South Fork!
This scene from the Dairy Festival Carnival on the downtown square, reflects
the row of buildings that occupied the east side of the square in 1979.
Ken's Pizza was seeking both cooks and waitresses, in 1979, with a starting salary of $2.65 - 3.25 and hour, while Cottage Cheese was only 59 cents for a 12 oz. carton. The Lee Plant was needing employees for the cutting room, at their local jeans factory, and Circle E Western Wear featured the "status symbol" of almost every dairy farmer, a pair of "full-quill" Ostrich Boots, for $179.95!
Dairy Festival wasn't he only thing utilizing the Hopkins County Civic Center, as two large Brangus Cattle Sales were conducted in the center, as well as two music venues, one featuring the "Side of the Road Gang" and Terri Stubbs, and then one featuring "Country Music Nashville Sound." Tickets were $5.00 each.
The cassette tape was demanding a fair share of the music markets, as cassette players were being featured in automobiles. Popular tunes included: "Staying the Night Together" and "When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman," by Dr. Hook; "Bad Girls" and "Could It Be Magic," by Donna Summer; "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy," by Rod Stewart," "Don't Cry Out Loud," by Melissa Manchester; and "Tragedy" by the Bee Gees. Kenny Rogers featured "The Gambler," "She Believes In Me," and "You Decorated My Life;" and other popular song included: "Just When I Needed You Most," by Randy Vanwarmer; "Heart of Glass," by Blondie; "I Just Wanna Stop," by Gino Vanelli; "We Are Family," by Sister Sledge; "Reunited" by Peaches and Herb; "Disco Nights" by G.Q.; and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," by Barbara Striesand and Neil Diamond, where a jaded love had lost its "spark!"
On the Country and Western Charts the Charlie Daniels Band had made famous "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," and Eddie Rabbitt produced "Suspicions." And, a group of New York singers calling themselves "The Village People," made popular "Y.M.C.A.," that proved to be a very popular dance tune! Andy Gibb made "Our Love, Don't Throw It All Away," popular among high school lovers in 1979, while Barry Manilow's easy style made popular "Somewhere In The Night."
These were some of the members of the Sulphur Springs FFA
chapter in 1979, as they prepared for a district contest.
Travis Harmon, a local high school calf-roper, was making an appearance at the Texas High School Rodeo Finals and had hopes of winning the title. He was ranked as one of the top ten ropers in the high school circuit.
Billy Bob's Restaurant, in Sulphur Springs, offered their Catfish Special, every Friday night, for only $5.95, while the daily buffet at the Crossroads Restaurant was featured for only $3.15. The Grand Opening had been featured for "Young Image Clothing" owned by sisters, Carolyn Sidebottom and Sharon Stewart. They were located in Shannon Square and featured popular styles for the younger generation.
"Fire" by the Pointer Sisters......"when we kiss, Fire....Romeo and Juliet.....Sampson and Delilah...." blared from the windows rolled-down, as they made their way up and down Gilmer Street, on a Saturday night, or as one circled the Spring Village Shopping Center Parking Lot!
This was a scene from a Dairy Field Day, that was hosted in front of the newly
constructed Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, in 1979.
"Sulphur Springs is expecting to become the butter-churning capital of the Southwest, by the fall of 1979," was the announcement, when the local Associated Milk Producer's Plant announced an expansion project at their local plant. Ken Burtch, local plant manager, announced the cost "right at $1 million."
A suggestion to change the name of East Texas State University to Sam Raburn University met a "cold" reception among graduates in Hopkins County, in the spring of 1979. And, undoubtedly across the region, the sentiments were the same, because it remained "E.T."
Because of proposed gas rationing, the small compact cars were becoming popular across the nation, however, local car dealers reported that the public in Hopkins had "thrown their noses up" to the idea. "People in Hopkins County still value size and we don't anticipate that changing much here in the area," advised Bobby Price, of Price Ford Sales. "We can't to seem to keep enough of the larger cars, in inventory!"
The twelve young ladies competing for the Hopkins County Dairy Festival crown in 1979, are shown here
with 1978 Queen Betsy Keys, and Master of Ceremonies Dale Smith.
In one of the largest Dairy Festival Queen competitions, on record, twelve young ladies sought the title of Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, in 1979. They included: April Lynch representing the B&PW Club, and sponsored by Jim Masters Western Store; Shelly Dobson representing the Tanti Club, and sponsored by Dobson Tractor Company; Lions Club Representative, Natalie Hosey, sponsored by Pratt Packing Company; Maleta Fox representing the Junior Waverly Club, and sponsored by Morris Title and Abstract Company; Farm Bureau Representative, Jan McDonald, sponsored by Jones Livestock and Dairy Auction; Bonni Booker, sponsored by General Telephone Company, and representing the Waverly Club; Lee Jackson, representing the Kiwanis Club and sponsored by Farmers Co-op; Beta Sigma Phi representative, Julie Collins, sponsored by Rockwell International; Camille Carroll, representing Sulphur Bluff High School, and sponsored by Southland Specialty Foofs, Lori Durham, representing the Dial Study Club and sponsored by Texas Power and Light Company; Standard Club representative, Kathryn Latham, sponsored by Production Credit Association; and Deneen Reynolds, representing Mothers Culture Club, sponsored by Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Company.
1979 Dairy Festival Contestants Lee Jackson, Jan McDonald,
Bonni Booker, and Lori Durham are shown at the Judge's Dinner.
"Most of the candidates will never forget the night that we participated in the Talent and Beauty segment of the contest," related Bonni Booker Kids. "It came a major thunderstorm that moved swiftly through Sulphur Springs and the lights went out, about the time we got ready to begin. We waited in the dark, in the Civic Center, and that is a 'creepy' place with candles, until the electricity was restored. We weren't able to meet with the judges, until after the contest, and I was probably more at ease, for my interview, after that had all happened!"
The thunderstorms on Talent and Beauty night dumped massive rains in Hopkins County and the newly constructed Civic Center was determined to not be waterproof, as water leaked all down the walls like a sieve!
Another memorable occasion for Dairy Festival Queen candidates in 1979 was when fellow competitor, Kathryn Latham, fell when attempting to do a balance beam portion of her talent presentation, injuring her leg, and having to work with the injury.
Dairy Festival Queen Candidate, Kathryn Latham, fell while
working on this routine and injured her leg, during the 1979
Dairy Festival Talent and Beauty Contest.
Bruce Fielden, President of the Dairy Festival Board in 1979, welcomed guests to the May 3rd, Talent and Beauty Show, in the Hopkins Co. Regional Civic Center Auditorium. Master of Ceremonies was Dale Smith, Minister of Shannon Oaks Church of Christ.
Appearing as "May Day Parade" participants included: Sharon Phillips, Brian Odom, Jennifer Chapman, Chris Spencer, Amy Anderson, Casey Reed, J.J. Rorie, Adam King, Myndi Helm, Jason Moore, Sarah Gee, Ben Enlow, Rori Hall, Chad Jackson, Michelle Berry, Michael Horn, Brynn Johnston, Justin Peugh, Chiree' Garrett, Lex Spencer, Alicia Henderson, Lee Parker, Liz Dawson, and Bran McCoy.
These were the "May Day Parade" participants in the 1979 Dairy Festival Talent and Beauty Show.
Judges for the 1979 Talent and Beauty Show included: Mrs. Bill Gant, Mrs. Tony Mandina, Mr. Howard Taylor, Mr. Bill Gant, and Mrs. Charles Muller.
Mrs. Bill Hager was chairman of the Talent and Beauty Show Committee, with other members being, Mrs. Lewis Helm, Mrs. Mark Rorie, Mrs. Gene Watson, Mrs. Walter Helm, Mrs. Bill McCool, and Mrs. David DuPriest. Pageant Coordinator was Mrs. F.G. Rogers and Ticket Chairman were Joan Longinio and Eva Ruth Long. Vice-President of the Dairy Festival Board was David DuPriest, with Mrs. Betty Chapman serving as secretary and Mrs. Denney Ashcroft serving as Treasurer. Other board members included: Pat Penn, Billy Sam Elliott, Mrs. Sherry O'Brien, Mrs. M.Z. Bailey, Charles Dawson, Mrs. Becky Berry, Mrs. Virginia Henderson, and Mrs. Richard Enlow.
"Storm Doesn't Stop Festival Troupers..." was the headlines following the night of the Talent and Beauty Show, the night of 1979, as Bonni Booker Kids remembered. The judges were unable to make the Judge's Dinner that was scheduled at 5:00 p.m., in the Billy Bob McCool Home and had to be rescheduled, following the show, and the electricity went out in the Civic Center, while M.C. Dale Smith, the winner of two Toastmaster Awards, used his talent to keep the crowd entertained, while local utility workers restored the "juice."
Being the 20th Anniversary of Dairy Festival, the 1979 Theme was "Reflections in Dairyland" and featured the Dairy Festival Candidates drawing from former themes to complete their floats. Parade Marshals were David DuPriest and Charles Dawson.
Window displays throughout the city of Sulphur Springs featured the dresses worn by former Dairy Festival Queens, in the store front windows.
These window displays featured the dresses of 1963 Dairy Festival Queen Betty Brice Chapman, left, and
Denise Dickerson Booher, right.
It may have rained on the night of the Talent and Beauty Show presentation, by on Saturday, May 5th, 1979, the sun was bright and shiny as the Dairy Festival Candidates arrived at Buford Park, for the Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade. With twelve candidates, the floats were many and the parade was described as "a most colorful affair, reflecting the 20 year history of the festival!"
This float rode by Deneen Reynolds and crafted by the Mothers Culture Club,
was awarded the "Sweepstakes Award" in 1979.
This Farm Bureau sponsored float, ridden by Jan McDonald, won the "Best Theme" of the
1979 Dairy Festival Parade and featured a cow carousel, giant ice cream cones, and a
large swing, that the candidate rode on during the parade.
Bonni Booker rode on this Waverly Club float that featured a giant Jersey cow and replica
of the Carnation Milk Company.
Deneen Reynolds' float, built by the Mothers Culture Club, using the 1978 Festival Theme of "Dairyland Comics," was judged for the Sweepstakes Prize. Jan McDonald's Farm Bureau built float, garnered the "Best Theme" Award and depicted a cow carousel, large ice cream cones, and a large swing, that represented the 1977 Theme of "Fantasy In Dairyland." The "Most Beautiful Award," was awareded to the float ridden by Maleta Fox, entitled "South Pacific," and reflecting the 1966 Theme of "Music in Dairyland," sponsored by the Junior Waverly Club. The "Most Original Award" went to the float ridden by Kathryn Latham, representing the Standard Club, and carrying out the theme of the 1975 Academy Awards. A "special judge's award " was presented to the the float ridden by Camille Carroll, representing Sulphur Bluff High School, and carrying out the theme of the 1971 Festival "Dairyland Splendor."
Camille Carroll of Sulphur Bluff High School rode this "South Pacific" float.
April Lynch rode on this "Babes in Dairyland" float depicting the 1965 theme and
was sponsored by B&PW Club.
Natalie Hosey was skier on this Winter Wonderland float sponsored by the Lions Club.
And, when the crowd that was estimated as over 1200 people gathered in the Hopkins County Civic Center Auditorium for the Pageant, on Saturday night, May 5th, they were treated by a slide presentation, reflecting the 20 year history of the festival, while 1975 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Kim Baxter, sang "The Way We Were," in the background. Other entertainment featured: 1969-70 Queen, Janet Skidmore singing a solo, as well as 1976 Queen Kim Tucker and 1977 Queen Julie Scott also presenting solos, and the Ardis Dancers in performance. Jim Anderson, Director of Sales and Public Relations at Baker Hotel, in Dallas, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Pageant.
Shelley Dobson rode on this "Dairyland International" float and was representing the
Tanti Club, in the 1979 Festival.
Lee Jackson rode this Kiwanis Club float that featured Mother's Day.
The "May Day Dancers" rode on this float in the 1979 parade.
Julie Collins, representing Beta Sigma Phi rode on this "Arabian Knights" float.
Lori Durham rode this "USA in Dairyland" float sponsored by the Dial Study Club.
When the judges signaled they had completed their sheets and the accountant tallied the scores, it was Bonni Booker, daughter of Larry and Velda Booker, that was declared the new 1979 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. She had presented a piano solo and song from the musical "Annie Get Your Gun," during her talent presentation. Booker was crowned by 1978 Queen, Betsy Keys, who also crowned Deneen Reynolds as the first runner-up, and Julie Collins as the second runner-up to the crown.
1979 Dairy Festival Queen, Bonni Booker, is flanked by first runner-up, Deneen Reynolds,
left, and second runner-up, Julie Collins, right.
Booker, the granddaughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. E.D. Vandergriff, the late Mr. & Mrs. Grover Sellers, and the late Mr. & Mrs. H.L. Booker, Sr., states, "I have so many fond memories of my year as 1979 Dairy Festival Queen. I especially enjoyed participating in the parade, and only years later realized how much work my brother and sister-in-law, Buck and Debbie Booker, accomplished while building my float. The float had a Jersey cow, because my 'Papaw Sellers' was known for his Jersey cows, and also featured a milk can that Sellers used to deliver the first can of milk to the Carnation Milk Company in Sulphur Springs, in 1937."
"I remember attending the State Fair of Texas Queen's Day, where we had a lovely dinner and then proceeded to the Cotton Bowl, where the event had to be cancelled because of pouring rains," reflects Bonni Kids. "I would definitely encourage any girl in Hopkins County to compete in the Dairy Festival Pageant, because of the wonderful association with the other candidates and the people of Hopkins County. I'm still friends with all of those who competed with me and we share many, many special memories."
Bonni Booker Kids, now lives in Longview, with her husband of twenty-six years, Craig Kids, also of Sulphur Springs. Bonni graduated from Sulphur Springs High School, in 1980, and attended East Texas State University, receiving a degree in Marketing. Craig and Bonni married in 1982 and she was a "stay-at-home mom" for 8 years, before entering a career in banking. She worked for eleven years at Regions Bank of Longview, and now serves as Vice-President, Trust Officer, and Manager of Retirement Plans for Texas Bank and Trust.
Bonni and Craig have two sons, Landon Kids, age 21 and a junior at Texas A&M University College Station, pursuing a degree in Architectural Construction, and Tyler Kids, age 17, a junior at Pine Tree High School, where he participates in football, basketball, and baseball. "Certainly I count my greatest accomplishment in life, as my two sons," expresses Bonni. "They are a joy to me every day and when Sulphur Springs competes in sports with Pine Tree, everyone needs to look for me on the sidelines cheering Tyler to victory!"
"I was always shy, when I was young, and I believe the Dairy Festival experience helped me to develop self-confidence and learn to manage my time efficiently," relates Bonni. "I just remember how busy my schedule was during my junior year of high school and having to make time for practicing my talent, preparing for the parade, and all the activities, and it taught me to make priorities. Then, during my senior year, I had to learn to fulfill the obligations of the Dairy Festival Queen and make that choice before I could do some of the other things I wanted. Those lessons pay big dividends, later in life, when you are attempting to balance the duties of marriage, motherhood, and a career!"
This was typical of the Hopkins County dairy farm in 1979.
Bonni Booker also accomplished a first, when she was crowned Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, as she was the sister of the 1962 Dairy Festival Queen, Linda Booker Bennett. They completed the first "sisters" to wear the crown. Their sister, Becky Booker Colley, was runner-up to the crown in 1968.
Howard Birchfield is shown working on the family dairy farm in the
South Liberty Community, in the Ag Co-op Program, in 1979.
Meanwhile, as Bonni was crowned queen, the 105th Kentucky Derby was being hosted in Louisville, Kentucky. The favored horse was "Buddy Delp," described as a "steel-grey thunderbolt!" And, the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce had approved 47 new members but was termed as "financially scarce," by Chamber President Gene Watson, who warned the board that there were not funds for any extras at the present time.
May 1979 also found a "jailbreak" in Cooper, when a 31 year old trustee of the Delta County Jail and another man had held a piece of broken coke bottle to the neck of the jailer and escaped, creating a "manhunt" throughout the northern section of Hopkins County. And, at Como-Pickton School, it was Sheri Don Garner who had earned the valedictorian of the class of 1979, while Becky Beezley had earned the salutatorian position. Ray Richey and Gary Reynolds were selected valedictorian and salutatorian of the class at SSHS, respectively, and Donna Gibby and Mike Robinson accomplished the same honors at North Hopkins High School, in 1979.
Gaylon and Peggy Price had purchased the Froneberger Nursery and Deborah Hooker and Jammie Morgan were the honor graduates of Yantis High School. O.J. Simpson, a popular professional athlete, was advertising "Tree-Sweet Orange Juice, and Sulphur Bluff honor graduates included Tammy Waller, valedictorian, and Tina Hare, as salutatorian.
1979 Sulphur Springs FFA President, Kent Bailey, is shown accepting the award as the top
Agricultural student at SSHS, from Pat Penn.
Highly fertilized Coastal Bermudagrass hay was priced at $2.65 per bale, in 1979, and Doyle Woods, local Dairy Cattle Dealer, was advertising ten "Astronaut" sons available at his farm in Martin Springs. Kent Bailey was serving as the President of the Sulphur Springs FFA Chapter and outstanding students in the Agricultural Cooperative Program at SSHS included: Budge Vititow, Autry Darden, and Louis Hawkins. Wayne and Junior Hinton and Roger Wright were advertising springing Holstein heifers for sale from their location on Broadway Street, for $750.00 each.
Sulphur Springs FFA member Autry Darden is shown with one of his prize-winning Holstein
heifers in 1979.
"Phase II" a popular ladies wear retailer was advertising "Disco Jean" for only $12.00 a pair and "Viceroy Jeans" for $13.00 a pair, as labeled clothing was making a statement in wardrobes. Hills Custom Floors, at 1321 Shannon Road, was featuring a carpet sale and Sears was offering a three-speed riding lawn mower, for $889.00. Unclaimed Freight, located on Industrial Drive, was a popular place to shop and J.P. Shull had been named the new TP&L District Manager. J.C. Penney's was conducting a "75th Anniversary Sale" with men's suits for $59.88 and a rack of women's slacks, for $7 - 14.00.
Sulphur Springs Young Farmer members Wade Bartley, Ronnie Stewart, and Bill Allen,
are shown at the State Convention in 1979.
Mr. & Mrs. Curtis Buchanan were conducting a Dairy Herd Dispersal Sale, of their cattle, that was conducted by Stewart Auction Services, owned by Ronnie and Elton Stewart. The Shoe Tree, was featuring ladies "Princess" high heels for $15.99 a pair and sheer panty hose for $3.00 a pair. Foster's Department Store, located at 213 Main Street had a "Red Wing Boot Sale" for the local dairy farmers and the Hopkins County Dairy Festival featured a carnival with the 1979 festival, on the downtown square.
These were some of the award winners at the 1979 SS FFA Banquet.
Over 1,000 people had attended the Black Jack Grove Festival in Cumby, where food, fun, and entertainment had been the billing, as well as the unveiling of a Texas State Historical Marker. The same weekend the 43rd Northeast Texas Dairy Show got underway, as the first show to be held in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. Judge for the event was Dr. Fred Foreman, Head of the Dairy Science Department at Iowa State University.
Winners in the opening Jersey Show included Weldon DeWitt, Kris Koon, Herbert Flora, and J.B. McQueen. In the Brown Swiss Show, Cynthia and Clifton Alexander, Larry Paaskie, and Mike Rushin were the winners. And, in the Holstein division, the Buddy Hoff family from Windthorst, Texas, made the trip to Sulphur Springs to take the prizes in the show, while the Tex-Stein Dairy, also of Windthorst, won prizes, as well. "These are some outstanding dairy animals," related Dr. Foreman, as he witnessed his parade of champions, before a large crowd of spectators, at the 1979 show.
"And, it's wonderful having air conditioning in the arena," related Bill Lyons, Superintendent of the 1979 Northeast Texas Dairy Show.
The 1979 Northeast Texas Dairy Show was the first held in the newly constructed
Hopkins County Civic Center.
A ground-breaking ceremony was being held for an expansion project at Winzen International, for a 76,000 square foot building and the murder of a man, near Yantis, was being investigated by the Wood County Sheriff's Department. And, the local City National Bank was announcing the grand opening of their new Commercial Drive-In Facilties, at the corner of Atkins and Hunter Streets.
1979 found Hopkins County still focused on an expanding dairy industry and the local economy being fueled by the "dairy dollars" that were reported to be "turned-over" six times in the community, before leaving Hopkins County! The county maintained the "number one milk producing county in the state of Texas" and had over 500 grade-A dairy farms, located within its boundaries, and another 600 located in the surrounding service area, according to a report by County Agent Ron Wooley.
1979 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Bonni Booker Kids, is shown today with her husband, Craig,
and their two sons, Tyler and Landon.
"I was proud to represent Hopkins County as the 1979 Dairy Festival Queen and to have been such an important part of my hometown," reflects Bonni Booker Kids. "I commend the outstanding efforts of so many, who have contributed to the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Organization, for the past 50 years, and look forward to returning to help celebrate this important milestone in the community's history, in June 2009!"
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