Pictured is a crown, which will be awarded during the Miss/Mister Strawberry Festival Pageant on Friday evening, June 17. The pageant will be held at the Courthouse Square Gazebo during the Friday Night Block Party. For registration information, visit www.angelfacepageants.com. (Provided photos)
Angel Face Pageants, based out of Owego, N.Y., invites you to make special memories by participating in and/or attending the sixth annual Miss and Mister Strawberry Festival Pageant on Friday evening, June 17, which will be held at the Courthouse Square Gazebo during the Friday Night Block Party.
Angel Face Pageants, which also organizes and hosts other pageants, including the event held at the Tioga County Fair, believes pageantry is an outlet for young people that in turn helps enhance self-esteem, self-confidence, communication skills and other attributes. Angel Face Pageants are open to girls and boys within various age groups.
Three seasoned judges will participate during the pageant and an emcee will host the event.
Age groups for the Miss/Mister Strawberry Festival Pageant include: for girls, ages 0-11 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-12 years, 13-15 years, and 16 and up; for boys, ages 0-2 years, 3-5 years, and 6 and up.
Event organizers ask that participants arrive by 4 p.m. on Friday for registration. All contestants should pre-register on-line to assure a spot in the pageant. Participants will be greeted and checked-in on a first-come, first-serve basis the evening of the pageant, followed by the pageant start time at 5 p.m.
Two young contestants are escorted during a previous Miss/Mister Strawberry Festival Pageant. Both boys and girls in several age categories are able to participate. Winners receive prizes and will be able to walk in the Strawberry Festival Parade.
Areas of competition are, for every contestant, a simple walk on stage as well as facial beauty, overall appearance, personality and stage presence. Some contestants, based on age, will also have one other required element, which is to introduce themselves on stage in front of the judges and audience. Any style of dress is acceptable, in short or full length, and age appropriate makeup is allowed.
“Wear your Sunday-best dress,” shared organizer, Deb Smith. Smith explained that contestants do not have to wear ultra-luxurious dresses or accessories for the event.
Smith also commented, “We want all of the contestants to leave knowing that they all did their best,” and she added, “After several years of pageant work, though, we find that stage presence and personality are most often the areas that make or break the winners.”
One winner will be chosen in each age division and additional side awards will be given. Additional awards may be given at the discretion of the director. Division queens will receive a crown, sash and trophy. An ultimate Grand Supreme Strawberry King and Queen will be awarded based on the highest scoring contestants in the entire pageant. For contestants crowned Grand Supreme who were also chosen age group queen, the age group title then goes to the next highest scoring contestant in the age group.
Overall, Smith explained, the pageant is organized so that there are a good amount of awards distributed. Winners will be allowed to participate in the Strawberry Festival Parade on June 18, details of which will be provided at the pageant.
Pictured are previous Miss/Mister Strawberry Festival Pageant contestants. The pageant is scheduled on Friday evening, June 17, and will be held at the Courthouse Square Gazebo during the Friday Night Block Party. For registration information, visit www.angelfacepageants.com.
Interested individuals should complete an on-line entry form at www.angelfacepageants.com or mail application with applicable fees to Angel Face Pageants, 138 Fred Catlin Rd., Owego, N.Y. 13827.
For additional details about the contest, visit their website, www.angelfacepageants.com, and click on the link for “Owego Strawberry Festival.”
