Pageants return to St. Pat’s Day
It won’t just be Irish eyes smiling as the Miss Dublin pageant returns to the St. Patrick’s festivities after a multiple-year hiatus.
The season will kick off Feb. 5 at 1: 30 p.m. with the orientation at the Dublin Intermediate cafeteria.
Co-organizer and Dublin Chamber of Commerce director Kristi Watkins said the committee has been planning the return since September and has set the stage for the return on pageant staples and some new features.
“It means the world that I can bring it back,” Watkins said. “It’s very nostalgic. So manypeopleinthecommunity have great memories tied to this pageant. It’s great to bring it back and share it with a new generation.”
To honor these great traditions and memories, the organizers are inviting the alumni from previous Miss Dublin Courts who will be honored in the pageant and have a tea ceremony reunion at Grafton Events Center. They will also be invited to ride in the March 18 parade.
The entire pageant will also honor one of its longest supporters.
“The theme this year is ‘Golden tradition,’ honoring Golden Butterfly and its 50 years in business” said Watkins. Golden Butterfly and owner Pam Crabtree have provided the crowns for royalty in the pageant for better than three decades.
Watkins also said they are planning to return the casual walk during the pageant and have increased the scholarship for the Miss Dublin Winner to $1,000.
Businesses will be able to sponsor contestants in any of the three pageants for $75.
Little Miss Contestants will have a $20 registration fee that will help cover a tea party set for 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Station by First National Bank.
The Jr. Miss and Miss Dublin candidates will have their interviews that day at the First Methodist Church on Highland from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Little Miss Dublin Pageant is slated for 7 p.m. on March 16 in the Intermediate School cafeteria while the Jr. Miss and Miss Dublin pageants will be at 7 p.m. on March 17. The court will have their first public appearance during the St. Patrick’s Day parade and festivities on March 18.