South Central Area Fairboard announces Grand Marshall of "A Barnyard Christmas Parade"

Written by Mike Hinson,

South Central Area Fairboard member

Benny Pace was once declared to be the Heart and Soul of Lewis County Schools. This year, the Heart and Soul has been selected to serve as Grand Marshall for the 2022 South Central Area Fair Christmas Parade. Upon being told he was chosen, Benny was quoted as saying "I'm humbled by it."

Known affectionately by many as Coach Pace, Benny found his love of Lewis County football as a player. During his career he set a new single season receiving record which stood for the better part of forty years. Benny was part of a Panther team which made it to the semi-finals.

Coach Pace began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant in 1982 and was hired full time in 1988. In 1988 he also began his career in education. He taught history, even developing his own Tennessee history curriculum. As a coach, he served as defensive coordinator and, along with Coach Bobby Sharp, built a football dynasty which saw region championships, undefeated seasons and playoff victories year after year.

Benny's coaching career ended in 2000 when he was hired to be the principal at Lewis County High School. He served as principal from 2000 until 2003 when he applied for and was hired as Director of Lewis County Schools. Prior to being hired as Director, Benny confided in a friend his doubts about being offered the position. "They will never give it to a poor boy who grew up in Sycamore Center," he stated. He was wrong. Not only was he hired in 2003, but he served as Director of Schools from that year until 2022. When he retired, he was the longest active Director of Schools in the State of Tennessee. He was selected as Superintendent of the Year his final year in office and left Lewis County Schools as one of the top schools in the State.

Benny is married to his wife Ginger. They have one daughter, Reagan Clayton, a son-in-law Lucas Clayton. Together they are the parents of Benny and Ginger's two grandchildren, Branlee and Pace Clayton. Benny and Ginger are the parents of two sons, Brady and Huntlee Pace. Both Brady and Huntlee are staples and now stars of the South Central Area Fair Demolition Derby. In 2022 Brady won the main event of the night with brother Huntlee finishing second. To say Benny was a proud papa would be an understatement.

The South Central Area Fair is proud to have the Heart and Soul serving as Grand Marshall of the 2022 SCAF Christmas parade.