FORT FRANCES—After first putting out a call for contestants two weeks ago, organizers have extended the deadline for young women to sign up for this year’s “Fun in the Sun” queen pageant.
Organizer Melissa Gushulak said no one had committed to being a contestant as of Friday, which was the initial deadline.
She’s extending the deadline to this Friday (April 25), but if Gushulak can’t get at least four or five girls signed up by then, the pageant will have to be cancelled.
“I’d be sad to see it not go,” noted Gushulak, who has spearheaded the pageant for the past few years.
Gushulak said it’s not that there’s been absolutely no interest in the FITS pageant, it’s just no one’s actually committed to run so far.
“I guess one of the concerns is the theme,” she explained, noting Canada Day activities may follow a voyageur/Old Fort William theme to tie into canoeists coming through here in late June and some of the girls didn’t want to wear clothes from that era.
However, if that theme is going to discourage people from participating in the “Fun in the Sun” queen pageant, Gushulak said the pageant theme can be different.
“The girls can decide on their own theme and outfit,” she noted.
Another factor has been potential contestants’ work schedules interfering with pageant events, but Gushulak said she can work around that.
“We don’t have to do as many events as we’ve done in the past,” she remarked. “The more events we do, the more money we raise, which means a larger scholarship.
“If they want to cut back on activities, that means less money, but if that’s what it takes. . . .
“We can base it around everyone’s schedule and everyone’s commitments, and go from there.”
Registration forms are available at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce office (474 Scott St.) or from last year’s royalty at Fort High (Queen Holly Strain, First Princess Paula Vangel, and Second Princess Rachel Dutton).
Anyone interested in participating in the FITS queen pageant should contact either Gushulak at 274-5206 or last year’s contestants to get more information.
Gushulak would like to see a minimum of five contestants registered by this Friday, but added it could go ahead with four—it would just mean more work on everyone’s part.
Contestants are eligible if they are aged 15-18 as of May 1, 2008, have a sponsor (committing $300), and will be available to participate in community events throughout the next year (up to July 1, 2009).
Gushulak said contestants who can’t find themselves a sponsor, however, shouldn’t let that stand in their way as she’ll help them find one. It’s acceptable for more than one business to co-sponsor a contestant.
For those unfamiliar with the annual pageant, Gushulak said it’s a great opportunity for young women to meet new people, get involved in the community, and perhaps do some things they haven’t done before, like public speaking or performing on stage.
Gushulak wants to line up the contestants early this year in order to get them involved in more activities prior to the July 1 crowning.
(Fort Frances Daily Bulletin)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
