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MEET THE 2025 CONTESTANTS

#1 Emma Boatman immerses herself in the Fine Arts every chance possible.  She’s had special training in Theatre, singing and every facet of dance.  Emma is the daughter of Ashten Boatman, and the late Jacob Boatman
#2 Amerson Boles is the blue-eyed, 5’3”, daughter of Michael & Brandi Boles.  She has attended many years of dance at Ardis Center of Performing Arts.  During the Talent portion of the pageant, Amerson will perform a Jazz dance
#3.  Claire Jalufka is a 17 year old Senior at Como-Pickton High School.  Her parents are Cody & Lisa Jalufka.  Claire plans to attend Texas A&M University after graduation, to pursue a degree in Business with a minor in Marketing
#4.  Lucy McKenzie’s adventurous side shows strong with 2 mission trips to Haiti and a week-long off-the-grid backpacking trip to Colorado under her belt.  Lucy will play the piano and sing for her Talent portion.  Her parents are Ryan and K K McKenzie
#5 Emmah Palacios might just be 4’7” but she packs a lot of punch by earning the honor of Blue Blaze Captain for 2025/2026.  After graduation Emmah wants to own her own bakery.  Her parents are Miguel and Lyndie Palacios
#6 Layla Shepherd is a Senior at Sulphur Springs High School is involved in FFA, HKK, and the horse judging team.  For her talent she will give a monologue regarding her journey with her horse.  Layla’s parents are Shaun & Christina Shepherd
#7 Hattie Thompson’s parents are Jason & Holly Thompson.  She has been active in area performing Arts, National Honor Society and cheerleading at SSHS.  Hattie volunteers in the nursery at Grace Methodist Church
#8 Abbey Williams is the green-eyed, brown haired daughter of Barrett and Nanci Barrett.  She is a very proud member of the infamous SSHS Marching Band drumline! Abbey has studied piano for 9 years and will be playing the piano for her talent at the pageant   
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MEET THE CONTESTANTS

Left to right: Layla Shepherd, Claire Jalufka, Abbey Williams, Lucy McKenzie, Amerson Boles, Hattie Thompson, Emma Boatman, and Emmah Palacios
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2025 Parade Grand Marshall

In 1997, my husband’s parents, Simon and Prina, immigrated to the United States with three of their five children—Adrie, Astrid, and Bennie—settling at Dan Martin Dairy with 250 cows. With the support of Dan and Janet Martin, they established their roots in the community. In 2015, their daughter, Sindie, also joined the family business.

Adrie, my brother-in-law, plays a vital role in our operation, using his leadership and expertise to help grow the business. He and his wife, Hannah, along with their daughters Eva, Savannah, and Ziva, are an essential part of the farm’s success.

Bennie and I both graduated from Sulphur Springs High School, married in 2013, and have two sons, Conrad (9) and Arie (8 months). Dairy farming runs deep in my family as well—my grandparents operated dairies in Hopkins County in the 1980s, and my great-grandparents, Ralph and Nela Faye Brown, were among the first to introduce an automated milking system in the county.

Since purchasing our second dairy in 2011, we have continued to expand, opening our fourth facility at the end of 2024. Today, our family milks an estimated 2,500 Jersey, Holstein, and crossbred cows across all four locations. It truly takes every family member to keep things running, and we are proud to be part of this incredible community.

Hopkins County has given us so much, and we couldn’t imagine a better place to raise our children. The Dairy Festival has always held a special place in our hearts, and we are grateful to serve as this year’s Grand Marshals. Thank you, Hopkins County, for your support—we look forward to celebrating with you all!

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WINDOW DECORATING CONTEST

🎉 Join the Fun—Window Decorating Contest! 🎨

Hopkins County, it’s time to show off your creative side! 🌟 Get ready for the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Window Decorating Contest with this year’s whimsical theme: “Udder the Bigtop!” 🐄🎪

📅 Key Dates:
➡️ Register by: May 24
➡️ Decorate between: May 1–May 25
➡️ Judging: May 26–May 30
➡️ Winners Announced: May 31

✨ How to Enter:
1️⃣ Registration by clicking on the link or scanning the QR code below: Hopkins County Dairy Festival Window Decoration Registration Form
2️⃣ Decorate your window to match our fun, circus-themed vibe.
3️⃣ Judges will visit displays in person, so just make sure it’s ready to shine by May 25!

🏆 Prizes: The winning displays will be featured on our social media, website, and festival materials. Let’s celebrate your creativity with the whole community!

📢 Spread the Word! Use the hashtag #hopkinscountydairyfestival to share sneak peeks of your progress and connect with other participants.

For questions, contact Gena Prickette at 📧 genaprickette@gmail.com or 📞 903-243-4534.

Let’s make Hopkins County festive and fabulous—start planning your display today! 🐄🎪💛

Hopkins County Dairy Festival Window Decoration Registration Form

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PLANNING IS UNDERWAY!!!

UDDER THE BIG TOP – We will celebrate our cherished dairy industry so don’t forget to join us for all the festivities!! Mark your calendar for June 6-14, 2025