Youngsters earn ribbons at State Fair

A big fair for Bailey Ball, Brody Ball, Ben Mitchell, Beau Mitchell and Addy Mitchell

TOP PHOTO: Bailey Ball won big at this year’s Tennessee State Fair! She showed six pigs and won first in all her classes and went on to win top honors!

Bailey Ball won overall grand Champion Purebred Barrow at the Tennessee State Fair! She is pictured here with her winning pig and her family. She is the daughter of Billy and Jamie Ball. Her brother Brody also showed at this year’s fair!

By Charlotte Underwood

NASHVILLE, TN (WLAF)- Several area children had a great showing at this year’s Tennessee State Fair!

Bailey Ball, 6th grader from Campbell Co., won Grand Champion Overall Purebred Market Hog, along with a slew of other ribbons! Her brother Brody showed as well. Bailey showed six pigs total, all winning first in their classes, before going on to win several “top honors” as well.

Eight-year-old Ben Mitchell won Supreme Champion in the cattle division with his Holstein Serena, while his seven-year-old brother Beau Mitchell took home the title of Jr. Champion with his Jersey Sydney. Their little sister Addy showed her Heifer Pepper as well.

Over-all, it was “a great showing and a big win” for Campbell County at this year’s state fair!

Seven-year-old Beau Mitchell showing his Jersey Cow Sydney. Beau won Jr Champion.

Showing cattle at the state fair runs in the family for the Mitchell kids who are learning everything first-hand from their dad Mathew Mitchell, who has been showing at the Tennessee State Fair since he was five years old.

Their mom Sandra said she couldn’t be prouder and that the kids did great at the fair this year!

“Their dad has shown at the fair since he was little and shows each year, the kids love to do it with him,” Sandra Mitchell said.

For Ben, Beau and Addy, showing at the state fair is becoming a family tradition that continues to grow.

When Ben Mitchell won Supreme Champion, he said he was “excited.”

Bailey Ball and her family will go to a special presentation in Nashville at the end of the month when the meat from her pig will be donated to a ministry that focuses on feeding the hungry. Tosh Farms purchased the meat and is donating it to Cul2vate, a ministry based in Nashville.

“I just felt so bright, so happy. It was the first time I had ever gone in for Supreme and I won!” Ben Mitchell said. His brother Beau was “really excited” to win Jr. Champion as well.

“It teaches the kids hard work and dedication and how to take care of something and it’s been amazing to watch them learn so much from their daddy and a huge blessing to be able to do this as a family,” Sandra Mitchell said.

Farming is a tradition for the Ball Family as well and Bailey Ball had a huge success at this year’s fair and it’s just the beginning!

Miss Bailey Ball began her 4-H Swine Project in 2023. Her first show was in November, with her first set of winter season pigs. She sold those to community members for freezer meat, according to her mom Jamie Ball. Bailey then purchased new pigs for summer season and has been showing these since May 2024 at various “jackpot shows” and national shows in the Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia region. This was the Ball family’s first time showing at the Tennessee State Fair and the results were amazing!

Five-year-old Addy Mitchell Showing her Heifer Pepper at the state fair. 

Winning a state fair show means the animal has been evaluated as the best in its category based on a number of criteria such as appearance, structure, muscling, trimness and more.

“Winning the Champion Purebred Barrow at the Tennessee State Fair is a big deal, and Bailey has worked hard for this,” said mom Jamie Ball.

To earn an overall champion prize, it takes a lot of hard work, practice and showmanship.

Bailey earned multiple banners, ribbons and prize money and showed six pigs in total.

Bailey said “hard work pays off! It’s a lot of time, blood, sweat and tears.”

Bailey was also mentioned in an article by the Tennessee Pork Producer’s Association for her big win.

The Grand Champions were purchased by Tosh Farms and Bacon by Gosh, out of Henry, TN.

The pork from the grand champions is being donated to a ministry called Cul2vate, to help those with food insecurity needs. Cul 2vate is headquartered at the TN Department of Agriculture, in Nashville, TN.

“Tosh Farms purchased the Champion Market Hog from Bailey, and the meat is being donated to an organization called Cul2vate, a ministry who helps feed the hungry in the Nashville area,” Jamie Ball said.

Eight-year-old Ben Mitchell won Supreme Champion in the cattle division with his Holstein Serena. 

At the end of the month, after the meat is processed, the Ball family will travel to Nashville for a special presentation with the Commissioner of Agriculture and Governor Bill Lee when the meat is presented to Cul2vate.

Jamie Ball said the family wanted to say they were “so thankful for the guidance of Luke Lay.”

“He is a Tennessee boy who grew up showing pigs and is a longtime friend of my nephew Eli Mundy.  He knows pigs and we have learned so much from him this past year.  He has helped us from the beginning. My kids love him, and he is one of the reasons they are loving this hobby so much,” Jamie Ball said.

Awards and ribbons earned by Bailey Ball at the Tennessee State Fair include:

Grand Champion Overall Purebred Barrow

Champion Yorkshire

Hot Take 47-3 x Dynamic (LuLu)

Lay Farms

Shown by: Bailey Ball

3rd overall Purebred Gilt

Reserve Yorkshire

Hot Take 47-3 x Dynamic (LuLu)

Lay Farms

Shown by: Bailey Ball

Overall Champion Crossbred Gilt

Pass the Hat

Hilty Showpigs

Shown by:  Bailey Ball

Placed by: Lay Farms

Reserve Overall Purebred Gilt

Grand Duroc

Waymaker

Bailey Ball

Brubaker Showpigs

Placed by Lay

Reserve Overall Cross Gilt

Promotion

Bailey Ball

Brubaker Showpigs

Placed by Lay

Champion Overall Cross Gilt

Pass the Hat

Bailey Ball

Hilty Showpigs

Placed by Lay

Reserve Champion crossbred Barrow

Promotion

Bailey Ball

Brubaker Showpigs

Placed by Lay (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/18/2024-6AM)