Drawing a packed house to Warp 9 on Sunday evening, this year’s “Fun in the Sun” king and queen contestants took the audience on a trip through the “History of Music” during the entertainment portion of the pageant.
And while it may have been tough for the judges to pick a winner, it was Lorne Koski and Sarah Angus who ended up walking away with the gift baskets in the end.
“I was totally surprised,” said Angus, who lip-synched a ’60s protest song following a humorous “hippie rant” during the entertainment night.
“I don’t think I seemed very grateful when I said ‘Thank you.’ I didn’t believe I’d won,” she added.
Angus noted the event “was really fun” and although it was hard work, she enjoyed the camaraderie with the other contestants.
Meanwhile, Koski performed a swing dance number with the help of fellow contestant Jessica Wilson that got the crowd cheering.
“It was kind of last minute, but we worked hard pretty much all day Saturday to get ready,” said Koski, who admitted he’s known more for his skills on the ice than on the dance floor.
“I was really surprised I won. Everybody did really good, and they deserved to win just as much I did, if not more,” he added.
The performances were varied, featuring some contestants working as groups and others going solo.
Shanna Calder and Melanie Hyatt performed a flapper dance from the Roaring ’20s while Karl Martinson and Hope Wilson were “Off to See the Wizard” dressed as Dorothy and the Scarecrow, respectively.
Alison McIvor, with a little help from Angus, Kayla Caul, and special guest Alison Agar ushered the audience into the ’50s with a number from “Grease,” while Tanis McTavish bopped along to “It’s My Party.”
Tyson Dennis, along with 2001 Second Princess Lindsay Cawston as a guest star, belted out Roy Orbison’s “Pretty Woman” to much applause, paving the way for Rick Ricard, Jamie Pryde, and Heather Algie to get funky with some “Disco Inferno.”
Sarah Fitzgerald next sang Madonna’s “Like a Prayer,” followed by Jamie Algie’s rendition of the Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”
Sarah Noonan made like Michael Jackson, doing the moves to “Thriller,” followed by Kayla Caul and Ryan Whalen performing Aqua’s “Barbie Girl.”
Dan Robinson was exempted from the event due to prior commitments. He’s still in the competition, though.
“I think it worked out great,” said Sherri Puddicombe, who is organizing the FITS pageant for her second year along with Rachel Thiessen.
“I remember sitting at home, thinking about a fashion show or something like that. But then I thought—Warp 9, music—this is perfect. And we went with it,” she added.
“I think the kids enjoyed it more than they would have with a fashion show,” echoed Thiessen. “And with 19 contestants, it would have been hard.”
Puddicombe noted the contestants worked well together. Thiessen said even though she had seen the contestants rehearse, they were even better in front of the live audience.
“And we were really impressed with the attendance,” she remarked.
2001 First Princess Sarah Hebert and Alyson Booth, well-known for her appearances at “Quest for the Best,” also sang few songs during breaks in the evening.
The entertainment night also featured the crowning of the 2002 Mini-Queen, when the reigning Mini-Queen, Cassie Jackson, turned over her tiara to Calie Clendenning.
Clendenning had been named the winner of the annual contest, staged by Wood’s Sewing Machines, prior to “Culturama” on Saturday at the Memorial Sports Centre.
Both Clendenning and Jackson will be a part of Fun in the Sun events, with appearances in the Canada Day parade and at Pither’s Point Park activities.
This year’s contest attracted 11 girls aged four-seven. Clendenning won a sash, engraved medallion, and plush toy.
Meanwhile, the FITS royalty contestants will continue to have a busy week ahead, starting with the BIA’s “Mall Day” tomorrow, where they will be at the lot beside Pharmasave holding a fundraiser barbecue and playing volleyball against any four-person team that challenges them.
Some also will be at the public library’s Teddy Bear Picnic on Friday, and of course, in the parade, picnic basket auction, and crowning at Pither’s Point Park on July 1.
They previously participated in activities as varied as a fundraiser car wash (June 8), a kids’ carnival and rummage sale at the Joy of Life Fellowship Church (June 15), a sponsor mix-and-mingle (June 18), the La Verendrye Hospital Auxiliary’s “Strawberry Social” (June 20), the “Relay for Life” last Friday, and even kayaking Monday.