Fall In Love With Annual Lovefest Court

Eighth graders Kandice Johnson and Emanuel Williams

LOVELADY - Participants ‘can’t help falling in love,’ with Lovelady as the city kicks off its 30th annual Lovefest next month.

Festivities begin in the city of love Thursday, Feb. 9, with the Lovefest Queen’s Coronation ceremony at 7 p.m. at Lovelady High School. This year’s Lovefest queen will be crowned by the 2011 queen Courtney Freeman. Tickets for the coronation cost $4 for adults and $2 for students. The festival ends Saturday, Feb. 11.

Candidates for the 2012 Lovefest queen include four high school princesses.

Senior princess Ryley Cormack, is the daughter of Glen and Sherry Cormack. Cormack, who’s involved with her student council, Future Farmers of America, Fellowship of Christian

Freshmen Taylor Golden and Emily Connell

Athletes and Relay for Life, is no stranger to Lovefest. Her family has been running a food concession stand at the event for as long as she can remember.

“It’s an annual gathering of friends and family, and that no matter what we’ve been through throughout the year, we still have the Lovefest to get the community together and enjoy each other‘s company,” Cormack said.

While Comack is undecided about the dress she’ll wear, she will be accompanied by senior escort Jordan Driskell, son of Keith and Julie Driskell. Jordan has also participated in previous years as a junior high escort and crown bearer.

Junior princess is Taylor Smith, daughter of Kenny and Donna Smith. She previously participated in Lovefest during her eight

Sophomores Wyatt Logan and Ashley Holmes

grade year. This year she plans to wear a cream colored dress. The FFA member and volleyball player will be escorted by Jonathan Young, son of John and Renee Young.

“I like the dances a lot, hanging out with friends, and you get to go and shop around if you need anything,” Smith said of what she likes the best about the event.

Sophomore princess Ashley Holmes, daughter of Karen Holmes and Christopher Nobles, said she’ll be wearing a purple and pink dress to this year’s coronation.

Holmes, who is in the FFA and is the basketball manager, will be escorted by Wyatt Logan, son of Shawn and Dailyn Logan. She said she looks forward to the talent portion of Lovefest the most.

Juniors Jonathan Young and Taylor Smith

This year’s freshman princess is Emily Connell, who is the daughter of Bob and Kathy Connell. Connell will be escorted in a peacock blue dress by Taylor Golden, son of Mandy and Gene Gulledge. The FFA member, basketball and softball player and cheerleader said she moved to Lovelady in sixth grade and is looking forward to the annual event.

“It’s just a tradition that people should like to be apart of,” Connell said.

Eighth grade princess is Kandice Johnson, daughter of Marylin and Kenneth Johnson. She keeps busy with academics and track. Johnson said she hopes to find a short, puffy, sparkly red dress to wear this year.

“I’ve always liked eyeing the pretty dresses and like looking

Seniors Jordan Driskell and Ryley Cormack

pretty,” she said.

Johnson will be escorted by Emanuel Williams, son of Wendy and Washington Williams.

Seventh grade princess is Sydney Price, daughter of Susan and Jim Price. She is involved in volleyball, basketball and FCA. She will be escorted by Ty Stubblefield, son of Tiffany Brown and Brian Stubblefield, in a long greenish-purple dress. Price also looks forward to ‘hanging out with friends.’

Flower girl and pre-k student Rylie Seale, daughter of Stephanie and Cody Seale, insisted she wants to wear a pink dress this year.

“I want to ride the train,” Seale said of what she looking forward to during the annual event.

Rylie will be accompanied by fellow pre-k student Tyler Gilchrist, who will be the crown bearer. He is the son of Leslie and Jeremiah Gilchrist.

Rachael Riley may be reached via e-mail at Rriley@messenger-news.com