FORT FRANCES—There will be no “Fun in the Sun” queen crowned on Canada Day here as a lack of contestants has forced organizers to cancel the event this year.
While a call for contestants was first put out a few weeks ago, no young women ended up committing prior to the extended deadline last Friday (April 25), organizer Melissa Gushulak said Wednesday.
The initial deadline had been April 18.
“We’ve got no one at all, so it is cancelled,” Gushulak noted. “It is unfortunate, but I guess we’ll wait and see next year.”
Gushulak, who’s helped organize the queen pageant for the past few years, said she wasn’t sure why no one wanted to be a contestant this year.
She understands, however, that some individuals may be reluctant to participate since it can be “a huge commitment” for them, especially for those with summer jobs.
“Hopefully, we can work around that next year,” she noted.
But Gushulak still will be keeping busy as last year’s royalty—Queen Holly Strain, First Princess Paula Vangel, and Second Princess Rachel Dutton—will be involved in “Fun in the Sun” activities leading up to July 1, such as “Mall Days and the “Teddy Bear Picnic.”
They also will have a group float in the Canada Day parade.
“They’re going to be out and about just as much as they would normally be,” Gushulak remarked.
Gushulak, who also is involved in the “Fun in the Sun” mini-king contest, said the public should stay tuned in the next month for more details on that event.
It will be held once again in conjunction with the Business Improvement Associations’ “Mall Days” in June.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
