Beech Tree News Network

Saturday, September 21 was the annual Rochester Arts, Crafts and Music Festival. This is the annual fundraiser for the Rochester Fire Department.  There was a steady stream of festival goers from morning until evening.  Those in attendance enjoyed grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, beans and cornbread, homemade pies and various other goodies.
The events of the day kicked off with a beauty pageant held at the main stage in the park.  Your winners are as follows:

Girls 0-6 months-Braylen May Bratcher, daughter of Katrina Sims and James Bratcher.  Runner up: Grayson Dean Amos, daughter of Brandy and Nathan Amos. 

Girls 7-12 months: Winner Avery Elise Morris, daughter of Chad and Denishia Morris.  Second place went to Teagan Lace Petigo, daughter of Holly and Randy Petigo.  Third went to Shylah Shain, daughter of Brett and Ashlynne Shain.

 
Boys 7-12 months: Hunter Wayne Maxfield, son of Tyler Maxfield.

Girls 13-23 months: 3rd was Lucy May Howard, parents are Brandy and Christon Howard.  Ariannah Lashae Rife, daughter to Tiana Rife, was runner-up.  The winner was Brielle Ellison Belcher, daughter of Josh and Jonnica Belcher. 

Boys 13-23 months winner was Mark Hammers, son of Ann and Mark Hammers.  Placing 2nd was Archer Harrison Gabbard, son of Will and Brooke Gabbard. 

Girls 2-3 years: Winner was Jenna Brooke Tomes; parents are Brandon and Deana Jo Tomes.  Second was Lilly Hammers, daughter of Anita and Mark Hammers.  Third was Evlyn Jewel Johnson, daughter of Mareesa Johnson.

Girls 4-6 years: Second was Brylee McClellan, daughter of Bryant and Pam McClellan. Winner Janelle Kimmell-daughter of Elizabeth and Matt Kimmell. Third was Tinslea Gracyn Belcher, daughter of Josh and Jonnica Belcher.

Girls 7-9 years: Winner Trinity Rain Martin, runner-up MaKayla Embery, daughter of John Rayner and Desiree Embrey.  

Girls 10-12 years: Winner Taylor Nicole Burden, parents Chris and Tracy Burden.  Second place Allie Katheryn Daugherty, daughter of David and Karen Daugherty. 2013 Miss Catfish, Sierra Fields handled the crowning for the pageants.  Sierra is a freshman at WKU and the daughter of Greg and Michelle Fields.

There was a car show at the festival as well.  Those winners were Kim Dukes (truck) and Jimmy Nelson (car) from Drakesboro. 

Maddie and Lydia Murphy entertained the crowd on Saturday afternoon.

Kyle Whitaker and his band took the stage at 6 pm to a packed and enthusiastic crowd.  They kicked off with a rocker and kept the momentum going with “Hungover On You”.  He sang most of his six-track CD called Out In The Sticks, which was available for purchase at the festival.  He even signed your copy if you asked!
"We could definitely tell we were in for some high octane music!", said on of crowd.

Included in the KWB’s set-list were tracks from Brantley Gilbert, Eric Church, “Anymore” by Travis Tritt (one of Kyle’s influences), “Dumas Walker” by the Kentucky Headhunters (everybody, self-included) was singing along to the Headhunters classic. 

During intermission of the concerts, several contest winners were announced.  There was a drawing for $200 which was won by Emily Wester.  There was also a raffle of UK basketball tickets which was won by Michelle Puckett.  All told it was a great day and night. 

Story by Andy Sullivan, Beech Tree News/WLBQ