By BILL JONES

Staff Writer

After an absence of many years, wrestling returned to the Greene County Fair on Wednesday evening, with a series of five matches attracting about 350 spectators to the Jim Saulsbury Arena.

Hundreds of other spectators gathered at the fair's main stage for the Little Miss Fairest of the Fair contest.

Winners of the Little Miss Fairest of the Fair contest's various divisions included:

* Tiny Wee Miss Emily Grace Brown, 3, daughter of Bobby and Brandy Brown;

* Wee Miss Jaclyn LeeAnn Casteel, 6, daughter of Terry and Christy Casteel;

* Tiny Miss T.K. Franklin, 7, daughter of Terry and Jeanine Franklin;

* Little Miss Cheyenne Michelle Eastep, 11, daughter of Eddie and Tabatha Eastep; and

* Junior Miss Tori Sell, 14, daughter of Adam and Barbara Sell.

Wednesday's overall attendance at the fair was 4,560, which was down slightly from the same day a year ago, according to Fair President Lanny Love.

Wednesday afternoon temperatures in the 90s may have limited attendance somewhat, organizers said.

Wrestling Results

Wednesday night's wrestling matches featured wrestlers from the regional Championship Wrestling organization in matches staged in an outdoor ring that had been set up in Jim Saulsbury arena, an area usually reserved for events such tractor pulls and demolition derbies.

In the series of matches, which began about 7 p.m.:

* TV Champion Wayne Atkins defeated Chase Owens to retain the TV title;

* Adam York defeated Moe Jenkins;

* Tony "The Dragon" Givens defeated Cody "Young Guns" Ices;

* Handsome Beau James defeated "The Mysterious Ginn;" and

* AWA World Champion Brian Logan defeated challenger Robbie Cassidy to retain his title.

Championship Wrestling returns to the Greene County Fair at 7 p.m. tonight with a double main event.

In one match Beau James and Moe Jenkins will defend their World Tag Team title against former champions, "The 420 Hit Squad."

In the other main event tonight, AWA World Title champion, Brian Logan will defend his title against "half of the famous Rock and Roll Express, Ricky Morton.

Morton, a Bristol resident who said he has been wrestling professionally for 30 years was on hand to sign autographs on Wednesday evening.

He said he has teamed for the last two decades with Robert Gibson to form the Rock and Roll Express duo.

"I wrestle almost every night," Nashville native Morton said, noting that he had grown up in a wrestling family. His father, Paul Morton, had been a professional wrestler and referee for many years, Morton said.

Ladies Match Scheduled

In addition, a ladies match featuring Misty James against Rebecca Lynn is scheduled for tonight.

Also on Wednesday, the annual Wool and Woolies fashion show took place in the fair's livestock barn.

One-price rides also were in operation across the fairgrounds during the afternoon and evening, while food was available from three church-sponsored dining facilities and a variety of food booths.

The fair's commercial and expo buildings did not open until 5 p.m. Wednesday due to a pair of incidents in which door prizes were stolen from two booths in a commercial building, according to Fair President Lanny Love.

The commercial and Expo buildings will not open until 5 p.m. each day for the remainder of the county fair's run through Saturday, Love said.

Greeneville Sun Winners

Wednesday's prize winners at The Greeneville Sun booth at the Greene County Fair were: Kay Malone, Patsy Fox, Ina Noth, Amy Harris, Sheree Taylor, Doug Jennings, Winwieloa Doyle, Teresa Laws, Celestia Sykes, Amanda McTegue, Kelly Fox, Elaine Coleman, Angie Maupi, Bill Davenport, Rena Mathes, Sharon Odell, Kelly Davis, Jana Crawford, Rodney Freeman and Jane Sibary.

Today At The Fair

Today's county fair events begin at 6 p.m. with the Baby Show for Classes 7 and 8 and 10 through 14.

At 7 p.m., there again will be Champonshiop Wrestling.

At 8 p.m. Steve Cochran will entertain on the main stage.

At 9 p.m., Dancers Unlimited will perform at the GreenBank pavilion.

Admission is $7 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-11 and free for children under six years.

For full coverage of the Greene County Fair, visit www.greenevillesun. com