Hedley hosts 49th annual Cotton Festival

By Paula K. Davis, Clarendon Enterprise

The 49th annual cotton festival at Hedley was held last weekend where many events took place. The Hedley Homemakers Club once again sponsored this year’s festival.
 
One of the main events that took place was the Queen and Princess Coronation.  There were four candidates from each category.  The nominees for the Queen contest were Breanne Chase, LaRae Shaw, LaCenda Funderburg, and Sealy Stevens.  The Princess nominees were Alex Sharp, Brittney Natterville, Kirsten Moore, and Justine Moore.

The winner for the Queen Coronation was LaCenda Funderburg.  LaCenda is the daughter of Tommy and Deanna Funderburg from Hedley.  LaCenda is presently a junior at Hedley High School and is holding office as the class treasurer.  David Evans escorted LaCenda in the Queen Coronation.

“I figured the contest was close, and I was very surprised to have won,” stated LaCenda.  “It was a real honor to have one of my closest friends, Holli White, pass the crown on to me.”

Holli White was last year’s winner of the Queen Coronation.

LaCenda also stated that it was fun to be involved in the contest and the junior class helped her out a lot.

“The festival went really well, and I was excited that LaCenda won the crown,” said Deanna Funderburg.

The winner of the Princess Coronation was Alex Sharp.  She is a third grader at Hedley Elementary School and the daughter of Marlee and Archie Sharp of Hedley.  She was crowned by last year’s winner, Katterinna Johnson.

Carol Deavers of Memphis was the lucky winner of the bale of cotton that was given away during the Queen Coronation.

Also during the festival, the high school classes of Hedley raised money to go towards their senior class trip. The junior class hosted a kick-off breakfast at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday.  They also hosted a barbecue lunch and a midnight supper.

The senior class, along with a concession stand of food and refreshments, held bingo. The freshman and sophomore classes opened the cakewalk, Kiddie Air Jumper, jail, and dunking board.

Earlier in the day, Hedley Volunteer Fire Department held their annual Antique Tractor Show.  Blackie Johnson was named Best of Show with his 1943 LA John Deere.  Walter Cannon placed first in the 1930s Division with his 1936 F20 Farmall.  Leon Ward placed second in the same division with his 1935 WC Allis-Chalmers.  Blackie Johnson placed first in the 1940s division with his 1948 G. Allis-Chalmers. Vernon Patton placed second in the division with his 1943 B John Deere.  Blackie Johnson also took top honors in the 1950s division with his 1952 Cub Farmall.  Mildred Hoggard placed second with a 1952 8N Ford. 

Marlee, Jaci, and Zack Sargent took top honors in the Kiddie Parade that was held Saturday morning.  The Howard family placed second while Kolby and Kaleb Chase placed third.

The Class of 2004 with BreAnn Chase and Clifton Todd took the Grand Prize honor at the Grand Parade Saturday afternoon.  Other winners of the parade were: float division, Hedley American Legion – first, Hedley Lioness Club – second, and First Baptist and Methodist Churches of Hedley – third; decorated vehicles division, Murrell Whitaker of Hedley with a 51 Hudson 7 – first, Nancy Stevens of Change of Attitude Beauty Salon of Memphis – second, and Henry Like of Clarendon – third; and the Khiva Mule Skinners of Amarillo – Riding Clubs. 

Ann Thornton of Clarendon won the Lioness Club quilt, and Linda Frye, also of Clarendon, won the quilt given away during Bingo on Saturday afternoon.  Karen and Colton Wynn of Estelline were the lucky winners of Moore Brothers knives, and Kathy Spier of Hedley won the quilt made and donated by Mrs. O’Rear of Wellington.

This year’s Cotton Festival turned out many more people than expected, and more activities were seen.