Queen contestants were kept busy

If you think a pageant is all about standing around and looking beautiful, don’t even consider vying for the Emo Fair queen crown next year.
For all five contestants in this year’s pageant, just getting to the crowning ceremony last Thursday night at the Emo arena was an achievement in itself.
Preparation began weeks ago as each girl had certain goals to meet, which were taken into account in the final decision by the judges.
First, each contestant had to design her own banner and float, as well as sell buttons to promote herself.
In addition, each was required to select three outfits for the fashion portion of the pageant—one career-based, one casual, and one formal—and model them for the judges.
After that, each contestant was interviewed by the judges and asked a number of questions, for which there was little or no preparation.
Finally, there was the talent show, in which each contestant had to stand up and perform—not just in front of the judges but a large crowd of well-wishers.
The banner, button, float, and interview each accounted for 15 percent of the total mark while the fashion show and entertainment portion were worth 20 percent each.
In the end, Malarie Woolsey of Emo received the crown from last year’s queen, Sis Wilson. Jodi Caul of Barwick was selected as first princess while Kristina Bombay of Manitou Rapids was second princess.
The other two contestants were Giselle Bonot and Samantha Steele.
The three finalist received a set of luggage (courtesy of Don and Joyce Meyers), a watch (courtesy of Brockie’s Jewellers in Fort Frances), and a cheque for $300, $200, and $100, respectively.
In addition, Woolsey won a photo sitting from In Focus Photography and a dozen roses from Fort Floral.
All five contestants received T-shirts and a Fuji camera from the fair queen committee, gift certificates from Sears, a picture and frame from the fair board, camping chairs from Tompkins Hardware in Emo, photo albums from the Barwick Cafe, cosmetic bags from Emo Drugs, chocolates from Emo Feed, and gift certificates from the Village Variety and Green’s Barbecue Bar.
For all that, it was a lot of work, both for the contestants and the organizers, but it was worth it. Certainly Bombay felt so.
“Sure I’d do it again,” she said. “It was a lot of fun and I’d recommend it to anyone.”