June 14, 2025 – The hugely popular 2025 Hopkins County Dairy Festival came to an big top ending Saturday night, June 14, 2025, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Auditorium when, after ambitious competition from eight very talented contestants, Lucy McKenzie was crowned as the 2025 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. Lucy is the daughter of Ryan and KK McKenzie, and will be attending Sulphur Springs High School in the Fall as a Senior. The theme for this year’s Dairy Festival, which celebrates and acknowledges the rich heritage of the dairy industry, was “Udder the Big Top.” The theme and the spirit was carried out throughout the Festival from the hot air balloons, the parade with all of it’s fantastic floats, the Jr. Dairy Show, Milking Contest, Ice Cream Freeze Off, and Carnival finally concluding with the 64th Annual Dairy Festival Pageant!
The Dairy Festival Pageant began with a spirited rendition of the National Anthem by Brad Cummings, followed by an impressive circus routine performed by a professional routine group from Rise and Fly Fitness. Next, Carolyn McKinney took to the mic to welcome everyone and to introduce the night’s Emcee, Israel Lewis. Lewis then began his wonderful Master of Ceremonies duties of the night, starting with introduction of the 2025 Dairy Festival Queen Contestants. Each contestant took to the stage, which was fabulously decorated as a circus big top tent to carry on the theme, “Udder The Big Top,” as Israel Lewis shared some details about each young competitor. Next, the 2024 Dairy Festival Queen, Coryn Young, daughter of Shandis and Cory Young, was introduced and she took to the stage. Coryn then helped out as Israel Lewis introduced the “Crackerjacks.” The two winning kids took the stage and strutted their stuff, waving and smiling.
Israel Lewis then introduced the Judges of the 2025 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen competition as the contestants prepared to show off their talents in the Talent Competition. The 2025 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen Contestant Competition Judges consisted of Sawyer Cunningham, Denita Young, Terry McGonigal, Leslie Loanzon, and Ana Lemons. Standing in as Auditor was Emily Glass. Next, each 2025 Queen Contestant took to the stage to give it their all and show off the best of their talents. The competition was outstanding! You could tell each young woman was giving it their best, and it showed. Each performance was inspiring. There was no doubt that each contestant had worked hard and prepared for this glorious moment, giving it all of their best efforts. The examples of awesome talent ranged from dancing to singing, from artistic speech pieces to piano playing, to comedy and beyond! The judges had an impressive challenge in front of them. Once the Talent Competition was finished, the night’s activities took a break as the Pageant went into a brief intermission.
The evening’s pageantries then continued with special entertainment. 2024 Queen Coryn Young shared her wonderful talent of dance by performing a routine to Prince’s “Purple Rain.” When Coryn was done and was catching her breath, she had a chat with the night’s emcee Israel Lewis where she shared her experience as the Dairy Festival Queen. She also gave some advice to the 2025 Contestants. Next, the 2025 Dairy Fest Queen Contestants were escorted on stage. One at a time they walked on stage dressed in beautiful gowns for the Evening Gown Competition. Each contestant stepped up to the mic and shared a little about themselves and how much they love Hopkins County. Each shared a personal thought, or philosophy. Each of the young women took a spot on stage and waited patiently. As the judges then took on the hard task of selecting winners by tallying up their scores, Judge Brad Cummings and his son, Hayden, took to the stage and performed a couple of spirited numbers entertaining the audience and the 2025 Queen Contestants.
The moment we all had been waiting for all evening had finally come. The revealing of the winners. First, Ticket Sales Awards were rewarded. Second Place in Ticket Sales went to Lucy McKenzie, Daughter of Ryan and KK McKenzie. First Place in Ticket Sales went to Amerson Boles, Daughter of Michael and Brandi Boles. Each of these contestants were rewarded cash prizes. The next Award presented was the Tracey Gold Fox Miss Congeniality Award. The 2025 Contestant to win this Award was Emmah Palacios, Daughter of Miguel and Lyndie Palacios. Emmah earned a plaque for this honor. Next, the winner of the 2025 Talent Award was announced. Lucy McKenzie won this Award with her talents on the piano and microphone when she performed the Beatles’, “Let It Be,” which rewarded her a $500.00 Scholarship. The announcement of the winners of the top four Awards came next. The Third Runner Up for Queen was Awarded to Emma Boatman, Daughter of Ashten Boatman and the late Jacob Boatman. Emma won a $500 Scholarship and a Silver Tray. The Second Runner Up honor went to Amerson Boles. Amerson won a $750 Scholarship and a Silver Tray. The Award for First Runner Up to the Queen went to Contestant Claire Jalufka, Daughter of Cody and Lisa Jalufka. Claire won a $1,000 Scholarship and a Silver Tray. The audience, contestants, and Coryn Young were on the edge of their seat as Israel Lewis began to announce that the 2025 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen was… Lucy McKenzie! … Lucy was rewarded a $1,250.00 Scholarship, and a Silver Tray. This huge win brought the 2025 Hopkins County Dairy Festival to a climatic end. The entire Festival was grand and deserves a tip of the top hat!
Save the Date! The 2026 Hopkins County Dairy Festival is currently scheduled to take place June 12th, 2026 through June 20th, 2026. A video presentation of the 64th Annual Dairy Festival Pageant, “Udder The Big Top” will be available to see on Cable Channel 18, and KSST’s YouTube Channel, within the next few days. Be sure to check it out once it goes live!
