Two Franklin parents are both previous winners of the Johnson County Fair baby contest, and they continued the tradition by entering their daughter this year.
Brad Rynerson won the baby contest in 1985, and his wife, Lauren Rynerson, won the contest in 1991. Their daughter, JoyLynn, entered the contest this year at 10 months old.
Entering their own child was something both parents planned on doing even before JoyLynn was born.
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“We really wanted a girl because we wanted to do this,” Lauren Rynerson said.
The topic of their contest wins comes up every year around the time of the fair, said Lauren Rynerson’s mother, Teresa Pursifull. Both Lauren and Brad have their outfits and photos from those days framed and on display in their home.
“I still remember it like it was yesterday,” said Brad Rynerson’s mother, Carol Rynerson. “I remember getting him in that cute little outfit and telling my husband, ‘he’s going to win this.’”
“I remember a judge walking by and she said, ‘He’s going to be a heartbreaker.’”
Lauren Rynerson said they prepared JoyLynn for the contest by teaching her how to wave, blow kisses and clap.
Though JoyLynn didn’t win this year, the family said they plan to enter her again next year.
