Miss Delta Fair: The Crown of Kennett
Embedded Files
Florence Middleton
Team Cobb
Story Summary
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Avery Smith, of Kennett, Mo., got a taste of victory at the tender age of one. It was her baby cheeks that helped her win her first crown. With guidance from her mother, Avery has competed nearly her entire life in the region’s Delta Fair Pageant. To prepare, Avery has taken dance classes since second grade and hired a pageant coach. After seven pageants and receiving runner-up twice, Avery, now 18, finally wears the queen’s crown as “Miss Delta Fair.”
In addition to her own royal journey, Avery is nurturing another young family member following in her footsteps. Avery teaches her younger cousin, Aubri Driskill, 9, in dance at Tabatha’s Dance Company where she works, coaching her to point her toes, kick high and dance with expression. This year, while Avery was crowned “Miss Delta Fair,” Aubri was awarded “Little Miss.” Before the celebratory Delta Fair Parade, Avery helped Aubri curl her hair and do her makeup at their grandmother’s house in Kennett as they prepared for their royal duties.
“I was excited,” Avery said, thinking back to the moment she was crowned “Miss Delta Fair.” “I was shocked, to be honest. It could have been anyone. I feel really proud of myself.”
Avery Smith, 18, “Miss Delta Fair” queen, rests in her grandmother’s car as they drive to the Delta Fair in Kennett, Mo. Smith was born and raised in Kennett and loves competing in pageants in the region.
Tammie Cannon, Avery Smith’s grandmother, shows an image of Smith holding a pageant trophy in her early competition days. With the help of her mother, Smith began participating in the Delta Fair Pageant when she was one-year-old.
Avery Smith works as a dance instructor and waits for her students to arrive at Tabatha’s Dance Company in Paragould, Ark. Smith began taking classes at Tabatha’s when she was in second grade.
Avery Smith practices a dance routine on at Tabatha’s Dance Company in Paragould, Ark.
Avery Smith teaches her cousin, Aubri Driskill, 9, a dance routine at Tabatha’s Dance Company in Paragould, Ark. Avery coached Aubri on pointing her toes, kicking high and dancing with expression. Following in Avery's footsteps, Driskill competed in the Delta Fair Pageant and won the title “Little Miss.”
From left, Tammie Cannon and her granddaughters, Aubri Driskill and Avery Smith, get ready for the Delta Fair Parade at Cannon’s home in Kennett, Mo. This year, Aubri and Avery will ride the float for the Delta Fair Pageant winners.
Avery Smith looks in the mirror at her grandmother’s home as she puts on her crown while wearing her winning competition dress ahead of the Delta Fair Parade. After competing in the Delta Fair Pageant seven times and receiving runner-up twice, Avery finally won the highest and most coveted title of “Miss Delta Fair” in 2024. “White’s my lucky color,” Avery said.
Avery Smith rides on the Delta Fair royalty float waving at community members as she passed by. “There’s no better feeling than getting all dolled up and going out there,” Avery said, referring to competing in pageants. “It’s a confidence boost. Just knowing people saw things in you and wanted that crown on your head. It’s a really good feeling.”
First: The “Miss Delta Fair” crown at Avery Smith’s grandmother’s home in Kennett, Mo.
Second: Avery Smith, 18, wears white studded boots at the Delta Fair.
Avery Smith stands on a platform overlooking the demolition derby arena at the Delta Fair. In addition to riding in the Delta Fair Parade, Avery's royal duties include participating in the derby’s opening ceremony.
Avery Smith, left, takes a selfie with her boyfriend of two years, Thomas Hays, 20, at the Delta Fair in Kennett, Mo.
As the sun sets, Avery Smith walks away from the demolition derby arena at the Delta Fair. “I was excited,” Avery said, thinking back to the moment she was crowned “Miss Delta Fair.” “I was shocked, to be honest. It could have been anyone. I feel really proud of myself.”
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