Only hours remain in the tenure of Fairest of the Fair 2006 queen Ashley Smith. The daughter of Jim Ed and Jerri Lynn Smith of Shelbyville, she will relinquish her crown Saturday night to one of the six contestants entered in this year's edition of Fairest of the Fair competition.

To be held at Harris Middle School auditorium, the contest begins at 7 p.m., though other competitions will be held for younger ages during the morning and afternoon sessions.

Debbie McKoon is once again director of the pageant. She said the winning young lady will earn the title and the honor of being spotlighted each day during the Bedford County Fair that begins on Monday at the Bedford County Agriculture Center.

"Throughout the year," said McKoon, "she will be honored and recognized in events including parades, civic and community functions and competitions for the title of Tennessee Association of Fairs Convention."

Each of the young ladies, ranging in age from 16 to 18 years old, will appear Saturday night in formal gown competition. Those competing are listed below, in no particular order.

Emily Hale, daughter of Jay and Mitzi Beebe of Bell Buckle, is a student at Cascade High School. She is a cheerleader for the Elite Energy Competition Squad and a waitress at the Bell Buckle Cafe. Her favorite color is red, favorite food is Chinese and she hopes to achieve a cosmetology degree.

Vanessa Van Liew is the daughter of Sharon McClure and a student at SCHS. She enjoys camping and fishing and, like Hale, hopes to become a cosmetologist. Her favorite food is a cheeseburger and favorite color is silver.

The daughter of Frank and Kim Simmons, Cassie Simmons is a student at Community High School. She, too, wishes to be a hairdresser. Softball, clogging and pageant competitions are among her list of favorites that also includes the color pink.

Britney Nelson is a Cascade High School student and the daughter of Jeff and Linda Nelson. Her goal in life is to become an attorney and own her own law firm but for the moment she enjoys cheerleading, lifeguarding, photography and scrapbooking. An avid fan of ice cream, she likes the colors, pink and green.

Megan Smith, an enthusiast of softball, cooking and crafting, is the daughter of Clint and Debra Smith. She is a student at SCHS and hopes to be a dental hygienist. The color blue is listed among her favorites as well as eating chicken.

Kayla Holden, who confesses to enjoying potatoes and shopping, is the daughter of Scott and Renee Holden. She is a student at SCHS who enjoys the color turquoise, modeling, pageant competitions and scrapbooking. She hopes to one day be a hairdresser and own her own salon.

Tickets for the event are available at the door. For more information, contact McKoon at 684-3589 or munchkin2@charter.net.