2025 Union County Heritage Festival winners
ICARE Union County captured the Rocky Top award for its best depiction of the Festival Theme of Plowing the Fields. ICare used a creative interpretation, Watering the Roots, Growing Community as a message that investing in the needs of people, even those with addiction, can plant hope and grow the people of our community. Left to Right: Samantha Brantley-Smith, Justin Collins, and Director Rebecca Hughes.
Booths: Rocky Top Theme - ICARE Union County, Best Heritage - A&B Bookkeeping and Tax Service,1st Best Booth - Uncle B's Barbecue, 2nd Best Booth - Nana's Attic, 3rd Best Booth - Little Valley Nursery, Best Demonstration - Tri County Veterans Honor Guard, Item of Distinction (Food) - Boiled Peanuts by KC Creations, Item of Distinction (craft) - Wine sign by Mtn. Aire Farm Crafts, Item of Distinction (art) - Pony painting by Artistic Escape, Item of Distinction (Holiday) - Halloween Bubbling Cauldron by Brantley Farms, Item of Distinction (craft) - Patriotic Corn Hole by Comb Ridge Handcrafters.
Agricultural Exhibits - Agricultural Exhibits were hosted by UT Extension Union County
Youth Division: Brown Eggs 1st - Nettie Mike, 2nd - Presley Lay 3rd - Caleb Firkin 4th - Ava Zielinski; White Eggs 1st - Presley Lay, 2nd - Levi Mike; Barn Quilt Design 1st Nettie Mike 2nd Levi Mike; Sewing & Needle Arts 1st - Nettie Mike 2nd - Jaelyn Cummings, 3rd - Lexxi Cummings; 4-H or UT Themed Craft 1st - Levi Mike and 2nd - Nettie Mike; Fall Centerpiece 1st - Levi Mike 2nd - Nettie Mike
Adult Division: Brown Eggs 1st - Andrew Cook; Any Other Variety (Duck, Goose, Quail, etc.) 1st - Lee Heltorl; Canned Fruit/Vegetables 1st - Brittany Bowlin 2nd - Mary Firkin; Canned Pickles 1st - Brittany Bowlin 2nd - Mary Firkin; Canned Jams & Jellies 1st - Brittany Bowlin; Sewing & Needle Arts 1st - Marlena Cummings.
Heritage Olympics - The Heritage Olympics were sponsored by A & B Bookkeeping and Tax Service
Nail Driving 12 & Under 1st - Caleb Firkin 2nd - Jaxon Moore; Nail Driving 13-19 1st - Ben Woods and 2nd - Barrett Whaley; Nail Driving 20 and up 1st - Randy Britt 2nd - Andrew Gardner; Skillet Toss 40 and Under 1st - Christen Bans 2nd - Cierra Wynn; Skillet Toss 41 and up 1st - Elizabeth Tindell 2nd - Amy Reno.
The Pie Baking Contest was sponsored by Tammie Hill, Realty Executives Associates. Fruit: 1st - Kathy Venturella Lemon Meringue Pie $50, 2nd (a tie) - Brittany Bowlin, Caramel Apple Crumb Pie and Gracie Tindell, Cherry Pie, and 3rd - Janie Hamilton, Snickerdoodle Cream Cheese Apple Pie; Nut/Other: 1st - Brittany Bowlin, Walnut Maple Pie $50 and 2nd - Faith Tindell, Chocolate Pecan Pie; Cream: 1st - Tammy Silvers-Haller Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie $50, 2nd - Shannon DeWitt 33 Special Black Bottom Custard Pie 3rd - Kathy Venturella Chocolate Cream Pie. The Grand Champion Pie Winner was Kathy Venturella for her luscious Lemon Meringue Pie that received $100.
Cake Baking Contest: The Cake Baking Contest was sponsored by Benchmark Physical Therapy. 1st - Mary Catherine Tenkman, S’mores Cake $50, 2nd - Gracie Nirmaier Caramel Apple Cider Cake 3rd - Shannon DeWitt, 33 Special Chocolate Caramel Cake; Bundt Cake: 1st - Mary Catherine Tenkman Rustic Pumpkin Bundt Cake $50, 2nd - Brittany Bowlin Pecan Upside Down Cake, 3rd - Bristol Sweet .Banana Bundt Cake; Sheet Cake: 1st - Jude Firkin Gluten-Free Pumpkin Sheet Cake $50. In the Cake Contest, Brittany Bowlin earned top honors as the Grand Champion Cake winner and a $100 for her decadent Pecan Upside Down Cake. Union County FCE Club hosted both contests and provided the judges.
Quilt Show: The Quilt Show was hosted by the Union County Historical Society. Handmade crocheted and quilted ribbons were crafted by member volunteers Ellen Perry, Patricia Campbell and Jeri Lett. Best of Show - Emily Lemming, Heritage Quilt 2025 Nancy Murphy, Judges’ Choice Quilt - Emma Sexton, Best Machine-Made Quilt - Frances Russell, Best Art Quilt - Kim Beeler, Best Christmas Quilt - Kim Beeler, Most Whimsical Quilt - Amanda Askew, Best Memorial Quilt - Emily Lemming, Best Vintage Quilt - Joyce Dean, Best Large Quilt - Cheri Christie, Best Medium Quilt - Kathy Rasmussen, Best Small Quilt - Deborah Stroud, Best Original Design - Debbie Ryder, Best Hand Applique - Travis Collins, Best Machine Applique - Patricia Walker, Best Large Panel Quilt - Patricia Walker, Best Small Panel Quilt - Deborah Viles, Best Traditional Quilt - Deborah Viles, Best Heirloom Quilt- Patsy Miller, Best Décor Quilt - Carollyn Camp, Best Quilt as You Go- Robin Nighbert, Best Machine Embroidery Quilt - Mary Ann Brantley, Best Use of Color - Patricia Wier Muncey, Best Contemporary/Modern Quilt - Judy Henderlight, Best Wearable/Accessories Quilt - Doris Coker, Best Holiday Quilt - Lawana Wilkerson
Historic Union County Collectible Print Drawing Winner - James Eisele, husband of Frank Grizzell's niece. Frank Grizell is the farmer in the 2025 Collectible Print “Following the Plow.”
Gourdzilla and the Hulk Contest: The Farmers Market hosted the inaugural Gourdzilla and the Hulk Contest. Cash prize was awarded to the heaviest pumpkin and watermelon. The Union County Farmers Co-op sponsored the event. Gourdzilla (pumpkin) - Melanie Hurst and Hulk (watermelon) winner - Josh Hurst
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