Davenport honored for lifetime of service to Warren County Fair

Nearly half a century of service to the Warren County A&L Fair earned Wayne Davenport its highest recognition Friday night, as the longtime fair secretary was honored with the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award.

This year’s honor was presented as something closer to a lifetime achievement award for Davenport, affectionately known as “Uncle Wayne” by members of the Fair Board. Davenport has served on the board for 49 years after joining in October 1977 and has spent more than 30 years as fair secretary. He also serves as superintendent of concessions, overseeing one of the fair’s largest and most important operations.

“From pageants to parking cars, he has seen and done it all year after year,” 2026 Fairest of the Fair Leela Beaty said during the presentation. “He has devoted many hours of time to his responsibilities.”

Beaty's remarks, prepared by Fair Board President Regan Kelsey, noted Davenport continues to arrive early and stay late, frequently securing buildings and gates around the fairgrounds. Davenport and his brother, Jim, share the distinction of being the Fair Board’s longest-serving members, with both joining the board in October 1977.

“This year, our Volunteer of the Year Award is a man who all of us on the fair board simply know as Uncle Wayne,” Beaty said.

Davenport’s recognition capped Friday evening’s awards ceremony, which honored several standouts from among the more than 1,000 exhibitors who participated in this year’s fair.

Other award winners included:

• Youth Homemaker Award: Laurel Mayfield — Junior Division winner with 54 items entered and 132 points. Received a $50 award.

• Atha Jones Davenport Award: Caileb Hillis — Presented to the individual who best demonstrates the ideals exemplified by longtime fair volunteer Atha Jones Davenport. This is Hillis’ second time receiving the award.

• Luther & Clara Gribble Award: Laurel Mayfield — Awarded to the girl earning the most blue ribbons in the Junior Agriculture Department. Received $100 and a plaque.
• Hamby Martin Award: Rawley Gillespie — Awarded to the boy earning the most blue ribbons in the Junior Agriculture Department. Received $100 and a plaque.

• Martin Agriculture Award: Angela Bond — Awarded for earning the most blue ribbons in the Senior Agriculture Department.

• Shannon Panter Parrish Memorial Award: Jennie Farley — Awarded for accumulating the most points in the Floral Department. Farley had 31 entries and 135 points and received $99.

• Willene McGee Kell Award: Linnea Wittekind — Named Best Adult Cook of the Fair. Wittekind entered 36 of the department’s 59 categories, accumulated 154 points and earned $148.

• Senior Youth Clothing Award: Elizabeth Lescarini — Earned the most blue ribbons in the Senior Youth clothing division. Received $25 and a rosette.
• Junior Youth Clothing Award: Annabella Welch — Earned the most blue ribbons in the Junior Youth clothing division. Received $25 and a rosette.

• Brady-Hughes-Beasley Photographic Award – Color: Kayla McCormack — Best color photograph.
• Brady-Hughes-Beasley Photographic Award – Black and White: Elise Bivens — Best black-and-white photograph.

• Youth Poultry Flock Award: Sienna Barnes — Award based on the condition of a flock of at least 15 birds entered at the fair along with a journal documenting the time and money spent on the flock.

• Linda Schlimmer Memorial Award: Sarah Hillis — Recognized for her participation in the Women’s Building, with 69 entries and 239 points. She earned $172.

• Ethan Roller and Emma Simpson were recognized for their work on the Youth Fair Board.

Friday's award ceremony wrapped up a week which saw over 1,000 exhibitors display everything from quilts to food items and artistic pieces.