7 candidates compete for 89th East Texas Yamboree Queen title

The countdown is on for the 89th East Texas Yamboree Queen’s Race in Gilmer. Seven young women have spent several days raising money to help support one of East Texas’ most beloved traditions.

For nearly nine decades, the East Texas Yamboree has brought people to Gilmer to celebrate community, agriculture and tradition. This year, seven young women are helping ensure that tradition continues.

Laynee Hall, Lexi Hancock, Danica Jo Vestal, Markayla Tate, Sophia Dean, Laila Pilcher and Bre Reynolds are all competing to become the 89th East Texas Yamboree queen.

For 12 days, the candidates have been selling raffle tickets, collecting donations and meeting people across the community. Tate says the experience has helped prepare her for her future.

“I want to major in either agribusiness or sort of business and marketing, because I really love to be like a salesman. That’s why I really enjoyed the Yamboree,” Tate said.

For Dean, the race has been a chance to step out of her comfort zone.

“I’m really shy. So, going out and talking to people every day has been very, very good for me,” Dean said.

Pilcher says the experience has been a full circle moment.

“I was born on Oct. 4, and two weeks later, my mom was pushing me around at the Yamboree,” Pilcher said.

Vestal says the race requires determination.

“I just really hope that people — not everyone understands how hard we work for this. Like, people are just like, ‘Oh, it’s only about who raises the most money,’ but I mean, it’s not just that. Like, we work tremendously, like we work day and night,” Vestal said.

Hancock says the lessons she’s learned will last long after the race ends.

“I learned how to have grit and keep going, even when it gets hard,” Hancock said.

For Reynolds, the Yamboree is deeply personal.

“One of my great grandparents was one of the people who helped found the Yamboree,” Reynolds said.

And for Hall, one of the most memorable parts has been the friendships formed along the way.

“We’re all in this together,” Hall said.

No matter who earns the crown, organizers say all seven candidates have helped continue a tradition that has been bringing the community together for generations. The winner of the 89th East Texas Yamboree Queen’s Race will be announced Friday evening in Gilmer.