Meek crowned Miss Decatur Barbecue
DECATUR — In what could well be the end of a tradition, a Decatur girl won the 65th Annual Miss Decatur Barbecue title at Veterans Park in Decatur Aug. 4.
Desi Meek, a Decatur High School senior and state track star, earned the title over six other contestants from Decatur and Gentry.
Vying for this year’s title along with Meek were Destiny Mejia, Tabitha Tilley, Callie McBride and Kaliey Sutherland, all from Decatur, and Legend Kavanaugh and Falyn Cordeiro, both from Gentry.
Barbecue patrons got their first look at the contestants during the Barbecue Parade through downtown Decatur. Mejia led her fellow contestants down Main Street to cheers from friends and family.
After the parade, the contestants gathered at Decatur Assembly of God church for a formal meeting and interview with the judges — Jennifer Rossi, Myah Rossi and Mark Williamson (who also judged the Tiny Tots contest). After this session, it was on to Veterans Park for one last walk across the stage for the evening gown competition before the final results were announced.
Elisa Williamson, the pageant coordinator, handed the final result to her daughter Hallee, who served as the event’s master of ceremonies, a job she performed very well.
“And the winner of the Miss Decatur Barbecue pageant,” Hallee announced with a short pause, “is number six, Desi Meek.”
Hallee put the crown and sash on Meek as the crowd, her mother and father, Tammy and Leonard Meek, cheered her on.
In addition to the Miss Decatur Barbecue title, Meek also won the Miss Congeniality and Interview awards. Tabitha Tilley won the evening gown completion, as well as the first runner-up. Legend Kavanaugh from Gentry was named the second runner-up.
Before the Miss Decatur Barbecue contest, the Mister and Miss Tiny Tot winners were announced.
Five contestants, four girls and one boy, walked across the stage at Veterans Park, all vying for the Tiny Tot titles. They included Sadee Maree Cherry, 6-year-old daughter of Rachel Cherry; Avery Helms, 6-year-old daughter of Alecia Helms and Brandon Davis; Farraih Herrera, 4-year-old daughter of Jessica Arrendondo and Ricky Herrera; and Kodi Wolfe, 4-year-old daughter of Cody Wolfe. The only boy entry in the contest was Cody Kelsheimer, 4-yearold son of Joe and Tessa Kelsheimer.
After each contestant completed the interview at center stage with Hallee Williamson, the winners were announced. The 65th Annual Miss Decatur Tiny Tot winner was Sadee Maree Cherry, and the Mister Decatur Tiny Tot went to Cody Kelsheimer.