The 32nd annual Miss Food City Pageant took place on Saturday, March 8th at The McGlothlin Center for the Arts in Emory, VA. The pageant showcases talented young women from across the region, competing for the coveted title and the opportunity to represent Food City throughout the year. Judging criteria includes private interview, sportswear, professional attire, evening wear, and on-stage questions. 

Taylor Parsons from Mountain City, TN was crowned Miss Food City 2025. “I am completely overjoyed to have been given this great responsibility to represent Food City. I had the most amazing time competing and growing throughout the process. Earlier in the day, I told my mom – if I don’t win tonight, I want to try again next year; and I believe that attests to the competition, staff, and volunteers that make this event possible. I am looking forward to a full calendar and an even fuller heart during my year of service! Glory be to God for entrusting me with this role,” says Parsons. She succeeds Addison Smith of Abingdon, VA, who held the title in 2024.

Parsons is a 2024 graduate from East Tennessee State University, with a degree in Political Science. She plans to pursue her true passion and obtain a degree in Pediatric Neurology. Parsons enjoys traveling and mission work, having visited Kenya, Costa Rica, Honduras, Hawaii, and New York City. She loves spending time with her friends, hosting events, and baking. One of her greatest accomplishments is giving her life to Christ and graduating college debt-free after the unexpected loss of her father during her freshman year. She served as Miss Tennessee’s Outstanding Teen at age 17 and was named third runner-up in the 2019 Miss America’s Teen competition. Her goals include becoming a pediatric neurologist and continuing to serve East Tennessee and surrounding areas, as well as her mission work in Kenya. She also hopes to develop a mentorship program for young women in pageantry.

Parsons will represent Food City at events and activities throughout the year, including the Food City 500 and Food City 300 NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway. “We would like to thank the accomplished young ladies who competed in this year’s pageant. We certainly wish them all the best in their future endeavors,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer. “We are excited to have Taylor represent our company and look forward to working with her throughout the year.”

Elizabeth Kiser of Kingsport, TN was named first runner-up and Isabella Horn of Grundy, VA was selected as second runner-up. Kaitlyn Thacker of Kingsport, TN received the Miss Photogenic award. 

The pageant was sponsored by WXBQ-96.9 FM 24 Carrot Country and directed by the Twin City Woman’s Club. Event proceeds benefit Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. “We would like to thank our volunteers, Food City team, Twin City Woman’s Club, McGlothlin Center for the Arts, and performers/entertainers for their hard work and efforts in making this year’s pageant such a tremendous success, as well as WXBQ-96.9 FM 24 Carrot Country for their continued promotional and advertising support,” says Kevin Stafford, Food City vice president of marketing.

Pictured above from left to right:

Isabella Horn (2^nd runner up), Taylor Parsons (Miss Food City 2025) & Elizabeth Kiser (1^st runner up)

About the Miss Food City Pageant

The first pageant was held in the Bristol Mall in 1992. Former winners include Janet Barton - 1992 & 1993, Meredith Blankenship – 1994, Tracy Wilson – 1995, April Elswick – 1996, Lisa Tollett – 1997, Christin Wilson – 1998, Erica Hembree – 1999, Amanda Greene – 2000, Misty Horn – 2001, Ronna Compton – 2002, April Owens – 2003, Kimberly Coen – 2004, Megan Ashe – 2005, Mally Gent – 2006, Britney Hagy – 2007, Jennifer Whittington – 2008, Lindsey Blevins – 2009, Melissa O’Neal – 2010, Elizabeth Robinette – 2011, Ginny Cole – 2012, Alex Honeycutt – 2013, Kayla Neikirk – 2014, Kassie Perkins – 2015, Azlinn Alder – 2016, Callie Corum – 2017, Hannah Everhart – 2018, Megan Grace Stanley – 2019, Alexandria Alder – 2020 & 2021, Elizabeth McReynolds – 2022, Alexis Ramsey – 2023, and Addison Smith - 2024.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 158 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.