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The newest pageant in Chilton County, the Blackberry Pageant, has emerged as a successful contest and scholarship opportunity for contestants across the county.

“The Miss Blackberry Pageant is a new event for the Jemison Lions Club as a general fundraiser for our club,” Rex Bittle of the Jemison Lions Club said.

The pageant was created to complement the annual Black and Blue Berry Festival at Petals From the Past in Jemison, which is set this year for June 9.

Participants ages 3 to 18 competed on May 19 to win the crown for categories Miss, Junior, Young, Little or Tiny.

Elizabeth Bice took the crown and sash for the inaugural Miss Blackberry, and was additionally awarded a scholarship.

Miss Blackberry first and second alternates were Christie Dutton and Emily English respectively.

English also won Miss Blackberry Viewer’s Choice.

The following are the winners for the Junior, Young, Little and Tiny categories:

• Junior Miss Blackberry: Addyson Plier
• Young Miss Blackberry: Shelby Handley
• Little Miss Blackberry: Annabelle Northcutt
• Tiny Miss Blackberry: Avery Smitherman

The following are the runners-up for Young, Little and Tiny categories:

• Young Miss Blackberry, First Alternate: Haliey Adams
• Young Miss Blackberry, Second Alternate: Kylie Smart
• Young Miss Blackberry, Third Alternate: Kaitlyn Maddox
• Young Miss Blackberry, Fourth Alternate: Addison Cordell
• Little Miss Blackberry, First Alternate: Caroline Gaines
• Little Miss Blackberry, Second Alternate: Aria Bates
• Tiny Miss Blackberry, First Alternate: Alivia Ellison
• Tiny Miss Blackberry, Second Alternate: Kenzie Peters
• Tiny Miss Blackberry, Third Alternate: Ranylah Underwood

Diane Calloway of the Jemison Lions Club said the club was “very pleased” with its first pageant.

“We look forward to our queens being involved in our community and state events for the next year,” Calloway said.

In addition to participation in the Peach parade in late June, Calloway said Blackberry Pageant queens will be featured at the Black and Blue Berry Festival on June 9.

“There will be many events going on, along with delicious food made with black and blue berries for you to try,” Calloway said of the event. “We look forward to seeing you there!”

The Jemison Lions Club thanks this year’s pageant participants.

“We would also like to thank the people who bought ads and worked tirelessly to make this event successful.”

For more information, visit the Jemison Lions Club Facebook page.

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