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A Scott County sweep at Tennessee Valley Fair

Jaeda Newport (center) is flanked by RaeLynne Blevins (right) and ShayLeigh Gray (left), as the trio of Scott County girls claimed the top three spots in the Tennessee Valley Fairest of the Fair on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Jaeda Newport.)
Updated:
Ben Garrett
By Ben Garrett

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. | It was a good night for Scott County at the Tennessee Valley Fair on Saturday.

Not only did girls from Scott County sweep the Tennessee Valley Fairest of the Fair and Fairest of the Fair Junior competitions Saturday evening, but contestants from Scott County claimed the top three spots in Saturday’s nightcap at the Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center.

The 110th edition of the Tennessee Valley Fair, which began Friday and continues all this week, saw Helenwood’s Jayden Gray crowned the Junior Fairest of the Fair (ages 13 to 15), and Huntsville’s Jaeda Newport crowned the Fairest of the Fair (ages 16 to 20).

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Jayden Gray (right) is pictured with her sister, ShayLeigh Gray, after she won the Tennessee Valley Fairest of the Fair Junior title Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. Her sister was second runner-up in the senior pageant. (Photo courtesy NaRicka Gray.)

Jayden is the daughter of Tim and NaRicka Gray and is a student at Oneida High School. Jaeda is the daughter of Eric and Marki Newport and is a 2026 graduate of Scott High School.

The evening pageant, the highlight of the fair’s beauty contests, was swept by Scott County contestants. While Jaeda Newport was crowned the winner, the first runner-up was RaeLynne Blevins of Oneida and the second runner-up was ShayLeigh Gray of Helenwood.

RaeLynne is the daughter of Dave and Becky Blevins. ShayLeigh is a sister to Jayden Gray, and the daughter of Tim and NaRicka Gray.

Ben Garrett
Ben Garretthttp://independentherald.net
Ben Garrett has served as editor of the Independent Herald since 2004. He began his journalism career as an outdoors columnist and high school sportswriter.
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- Advertisement -
Updated:
Ben Garrett
By Ben Garrett

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. | It was a good night for Scott County at the Tennessee Valley Fair on Saturday.

Not only did girls from Scott County sweep the Tennessee Valley Fairest of the Fair and Fairest of the Fair Junior competitions Saturday evening, but contestants from Scott County claimed the top three spots in Saturday’s nightcap at the Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center.

The 110th edition of the Tennessee Valley Fair, which began Friday and continues all this week, saw Helenwood’s Jayden Gray crowned the Junior Fairest of the Fair (ages 13 to 15), and Huntsville’s Jaeda Newport crowned the Fairest of the Fair (ages 16 to 20).

- Advertisement. Story continues below -
Jayden Gray (right) is pictured with her sister, ShayLeigh Gray, after she won the Tennessee Valley Fairest of the Fair Junior title Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. Her sister was second runner-up in the senior pageant. (Photo courtesy NaRicka Gray.)

Jayden is the daughter of Tim and NaRicka Gray and is a student at Oneida High School. Jaeda is the daughter of Eric and Marki Newport and is a 2026 graduate of Scott High School.

The evening pageant, the highlight of the fair’s beauty contests, was swept by Scott County contestants. While Jaeda Newport was crowned the winner, the first runner-up was RaeLynne Blevins of Oneida and the second runner-up was ShayLeigh Gray of Helenwood.

RaeLynne is the daughter of Dave and Becky Blevins. ShayLeigh is a sister to Jayden Gray, and the daughter of Tim and NaRicka Gray.

Ben Garrett
Ben Garretthttp://independentherald.net
Ben Garrett has served as editor of the Independent Herald since 2004. He began his journalism career as an outdoors columnist and high school sportswriter.
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