Shelby County Today

October 6, 2025 (Photos) - Nickolas Smith of Center took the heat of the Carolina Reaper to win the trophy in the 49th East Texas Poultry Festival Wing-It competition on October 4, 2025.

The contest started with eight contestants who had five minutes to eat three wings followed by a burn period. Those not afraid of the challenge were Allen Nestle, Andrew Williams, William Jacobs, John Clevenger, Charity Jacobs, Corey Hagler, and Laurel Smith. All survived the first round of buffalo hot sauce but the Yellow Bird Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce in the second round brought down three contestants. Ghost Peppers range from 855,000 to 1,041,427 Scoville heat units.

With five contestants going into the third round, more were sure to tap out as Tabasco’s Scorpion Sauce was next up with a Scoville scale of 1.2 million to 2 million heat units. The sauce did not disappoint as it took out two more contestants leaving the final three.

The final round and the sauce to determine the winner was Elijah’s Xtreme - Xtreme Regret (Screaming Hot) which is made with two of the hottest peppers in the world: Carolina Reaper and Trinidad Scorpion Peppers (1.4 million to 2.2 million Scoville heat units). The first of the final three to pull off their gloves and reach for water to quench the fire was Center PD Lt. Andrew Williams. The next one to not be able to endure the heat was Allen Nestle which left Smith as the sole survivor.

Winning the 7th Annual Wing It contest, Smith joins the League of Fire Champions: (2024) Adam Vigil of Huxley, (2023) Matthew Kay, (2022 - tied) Allen Nestle of Center and Weston Boyd of Georgetown, (2020) Ray Fountain of Center, and (2019) Jason Filz of Huxley.

October 5, 2025 (Photo Album) - The 2025 East Texas Poultry Festival Car and Motorcycle Show Saturday recorded what event organizers called a record number of entries for the show in recent years.

In people’s choice balloting for three classes of cars and truck, Dickie Gilchrist’s 1940 Ford coupe won the “1948 and Older” division trophy.

Taking home the trophy for vehicles in the “1949 to 1972” class was Roy Blackshear’s 1950 Ford pickup truck.

The most votes cast for cars and trucks “1973 and Newer” awarded the trophy to Alex Munoz for his 2010 Chevrolet pickup.

People’s Choice voting in the “Motorcycles” division, handed the trophy to Brett Amy for his custom painted 2014 Harley Davidson.

Voting by car show entrants and attendees awarded the “People’s Choice” trophy to Vance Payne whose custom created mini replica “T-bucket roadster” was an overwhelming crowd pleaser.

Raymond Motor Company in Center sponsored the 2025 East Texas Poultry Festival Car and Motorcycle Show.

October 2, 2025 - The 49th Annual East Texas Poultry Festival is officially open as of Thursday, October 2, 2025.

The ETPF Queen Payton McGee and her court were on stage and the official cutting of the feathers to signify the opening of the event was performed.

Emcee of the opening ceremonies and ETPF Committee Chair was Josh Payne who welcomed the community to the event and introduced each of the speakers and performers for the morning’s proceedings.

The Center High School Roughrider band performed the National Anthem and the Timpson ISD Kindergarten class recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

First Methodist Church of Center Pastor Malcolm Monroe offered the opening prayer for the event and he was followed by opening remarks from David Chadwick, City of Center Mayor, and president of Farmer’s State Bank.

“On behalf of the City of Center we open our doors wide today to welcome you to our community, welcome you to having a good time, enjoy all that life has given us and our resources of poultry, timber, watermelon and good people,” said Chadwick.

Allison Harbison, Shelby County Judge, spoke on behalf of the county and the commissioners. She stated she was honored to share the stage with the “Flock” of smart, talented, and beautiful ladies of the East Texas Poultry Festival court.

“I feel so blessed to live in a small county that is made up of wonderful, friendly communities, especially in these trying times,” said Judge Harbison. “Goodness knows that we have our challenges, but I feel that it will strengthen our love for our rural county and reinforce our belief that we live in the most wonderful place in the world.”

Brandy Filz, 2025 Chairman of the board of directors of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, offered words of welcome on behalf of the chamber, board and the Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.

“We want to welcome you to the 49th Annual [East Texas] Poultry Festival, and we’re so glad you’re here,” said Filz.

She remarked on the festival being something the entire community looks forward to every year and something the chamber is always seeking to make a little bit better every year.

Joanne Shofner, Texas State Representative, presented a Resolution from the Texas House of Representatives recognizing the East Texas Poultry Festival.

“It is such an incredible honor to represent you all in Houston when you travel many, many counties and the most beautiful courthouse of course is Shelby County’s courthouse,” said Shofner. “There is no other courthouse, there’s no other square, it is a delight, and this festival I’ve come many years, this festival there’s no other festival that everyone in the community gets involved.”

Rep. Shofner then recited the resolution which was signed by the Dustin Burrows, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.

The Queen and her court commenced to then introducing themselves and the official cutting of the feathers took place to open the festival.

Congratulations to the 2025 East Texas Poultry Festival Queen’s Court

September 29, 2025 (Photo Album) - Payton McGee was crowned the 2025 East Texas Poultry Festival Queen at the Coronation held Saturday, September 27th. The Royal Court also includes Princess Bailey Miller and Duchess Falon Mackey. Escort Sutton Link was voted Grand Duke.

Thank you to the East Texas Poultry Festival Queen’s court Platinum Sponsor HR Group, LLC for making the pageant a huge success. Gold sponsors for the event were Blake Furniture, Dazzle Me Pink and Blue and JML Management.

Thank you the wonderful Pageant Committee: Committee Chairman Caroline Corbell, Amy Allen, Brooke Lane Sharisse McAdams, Emily Teske and Haley White. Caroline Chadwick was Master of Ceremonies. Thank you to Center High School and Center ISD staff for all your help and allowing the use of the Cafetorium.

The 2025 East Texas Poultry Festival Opening Ceremonies, sponsored by Focused Care of Center, will be held under the Big Tent at 10am, Thursday morning, October 2nd. Queen Payton and the court will cut the feathers to officially open the festival.

Thank you to the Poultry Festival Presenting Sponsor Farmers State Bank; and Festival Gold Sponsors, Badders Law Firm, City of Center, Pilgrim’s Pride and Tyson Foods.

See you at the Festival.

For additional information, call Shelby County Chamber of Commerce 936-598-3682 or email info@shelbycountychamber.com.