Dinner With The Queen

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Friday night marked the annual Queen's Dinner, hosted by Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen Haley Reynolds and her parents, Ricky and Maleta Reynolds, for Dairy Festival Candidates and their parents, members of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board, and other invited guests.

 

 

"It's an experience that you will treasure  always," allowed Ricky Reynolds, as he opened the night with comments and a prayer. "You get the opportunity to see your daughter 'bloom' as she nails her talent, prepares for the judges' interview, and rides down the streets of Sulphur Springs, waving to the crowd. My family has learned to treasure every moment, a year ago when Haley won the crown and was a contestant, she had two of her greatest 'cheerleaders' that are no longer with her, her grandmother, Martha Reynolds, and her grandfather, Clovis Fox. We've lost them in the past year and that makes the memories just that much more special, as they had the opportunity to see her on stage and participate in last year's contest!"

 

Ricky Reynolds welcomes guests to Friday night's Queen's Dinner and add words of advice
to the parents of this year's contestants in the 50th Annual Contest.

 

"Yes, it's hours of work, but what a ride!" continued Reynolds. "It doesn't matter whether you win the crown or just participate, it's an opportunity for you to come together as a family and form bonds of support, that you'll treasure always!"

Reynolds them offered a prayer for each of this year's contestants and their families, as well as the continued tradition of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival, which celebrates it's 50th Anniversary, this year.

 

Somber moment....as Queen Haley and contestants reflect on the words of Ricky Reynolds, as he offered advice to
them about the contest.

 

"It's just that much more special, when we come together as a community, this year, to celebrate the golden anniversary," continued Reynolds. "This year's queen will have just an extra memory to mark the occasion as special!"

 

Table decorations carried out the Golden Anniversary theme and featured pictures of former
Dairy Festival Queens.

 

 

The wonderful dinner featured pork loin, strawberry and walnut salad, twice-baked potatoes, green bean bundles, and chocolate mousse for dessert.

 

Longtime Dairy Festival Board Members, Pam Black and Mary Campbell, savor the bonds that working
together on the board has afforded them. Photo by David McCaig.

 

Queen Haley Reynolds presented each contestant with a gift to mark their participation in this year's contest and wished each of them luck, as well as thanked the entire board for their support and hosting of the annual Dairy Festival tribute.

 

Queenly preparations.....Caroline Prickette, left, watches in preparation for a possible future run for the queen, in maybe 15 years,
as Former Queen Kate Watson and Queen Haley Reynolds share in decorations.

And...we think she's learning really fast.....

 

What do you think?

 

Thanks to Ricky and Maleta
Reynolds for a Wonderful Evening!!!

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