FITS queen pageant to go ahead

After deciding last week to extend the entry deadline for this year’s Fun in the Sun queen pageant until last Friday, and then waiting another two days for more entry forms to come in this past Monday and Tuesday, organizers have decided to go ahead with it.
Dawn Booth, a Fun in the Sun committee member who has teamed up with Sherri Puddicombe and Cheryl McCallum to organize the annual pageant, said late yesterday that currently only one participant—Alyssa Bruyere—had brought in her entry form and fee.
But Booth said she had the promises that two other girls who would turn theirs in this morning, making for at least three participants. “And there’s three people that we’re working on,” she added.
“I am going to be optimistic and am anticipating we’ll be moving forward,” Booth noted.
Booth said extending the entry deadline was necessary because prospective contestants just didn’t seem to work out.
“We’ve tried to be as accommodating to the contestants as we can,” she said. “We really want to go ahead with this.
“We were afraid it [the FITS queen pageant] would die if we didn’t try to have it this year. And there’s the danger it might never come back,” Booth warned.
She noted the minimum number of participants usually is four, and so organizers are dedicated to rounding up at least one more participant beyond the one yesterday and two more expected this morning.
Booth noted time is of the essence now as the contestants will have to get buttons made up, as well as clear their schedules for a few weeks ahead.
As in previous years, queen contestants will be required to take part in a variety of events and activities, including the Strawberry Social, Teddy Bears Picnic, Mini-Queen pageant, and Canada Day parade, as well as participating in the entertainment night (June 27) and crowning (July 1).
Participants will be rewarded for their efforts with various scholarships and prizes, as well as the title of “Miss Fun in the Sun.” Details for prizes still are being worked out.
In other news, the Fun in the Sun committee is looking to match the spectacular fireworks display residents and tourists alike got to see last year.
But that will take money, and Booth said last week that organizers have set up a raffle—with three cash prizes of $1,000 up for grabs—to bring in some extra dough.
“We usually spend about $10,000 on fireworks. Last year, I believe $15,000 was spent on them due to the fact it was the centennial year,” she remarked.
“And we want them to have fireworks like that again.”
Raffle tickets are on sale now at various locations around town, including the Chamber of Commerce office (474 Scott St.) They cost $2 each, or three for $5.
A total of 6,000 tickets have been printed, with the draw to be made July 5.
Meanwhile, there should be no shortage of things for people to do in the weeks ahead as Booth listed off a slew of activities falling under the banner of Fun in the Sun 2004.
The Business Improvement Association’s “Mall Day” is slated for Thursday, June 24 (with June 25 as a rain date). Knox United Church’s pie sale is Friday, June 25 while St. John’s Anglican Church’s annual fish-and-chip lunch will take place either June 24 or 25.
The Canadian Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” is June 25-26 at Pither’s Point.
The local Legion will be holding dart and cribbage tournaments either June 26 or 27, while the entertainment night for the Fun in the Sun queen pageant is slated for June 27.
Then on Canada Day, things will start off with the Legion’s pancake breakfast, followed by the parade at 11 a.m.
Booth said the parade route this year will start at the Memorial Sports Centre and proceed westward, ending at Central Avenue.
After that, Pither’s Point will be the place to be for the rest of the day, with fun and games for the kids, bathtub races, food booths, Bingo, the annual horseshoe tourney, the crowning of the 2004 Fun in the Sun queen, and the fireworks display.
Booth noted organizers also are trying to line up a teen dance during the week preceding July 1.
Anyone with any ideas for Fun in the Sun activities, or who would like to find out more, can call Booth at 274-5773 or drop by the Chamber office.