Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Forest Festival beauty queens prepare to pass on crowns

The most beautiful girls in Gurdon are about to come out of their summer hiding.

The annual Forest Festival Beauty Pageant will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 in the high school cafetorium.

Billy Wells, of Billy's Main Street Florist, and Elaine Halliday, are co-chairing the event.

Tickets are $5 and must be bought before the night of the pageant at Billy's Main Street Florist, in with Kuhn's Hardware.

This will be the 16th annual Forest Festival Beauty Pageant, according to Wells. It is for Clark County girls between the ages of 3-18.

There are five categories; the Tiny Miss, the Little Miss, Junior Miss, Princess and Queen.

"Forms to enter can be picked up at my flower shop," Wells said. "I need all of the entries by Saturday, Sept. 17, but if you want in the newspaper with your photo, I need it by Thursday, Sept. 15, at the latest. Just bring them to me as quickly as you can before that date."

The master of ceremonies said the pageant traditionally has approximately 35 contestants. The ladies are judged according to their beauty on stage. Wells said there are three judges, always from out of town.

The winners of the pageant will appear in cars, during the Forest Festival parade. The parade has tentatively been scheduled for 9 a.m. on the day of the festival in downtown Gurdon.

The year's Forest Festival will be the 25th annual event, lasting all day and into the night, on Saturday, Oct. 29.

"Come watch the 2004 winners give up their crowns," Wells said.

The outgoing, 2004 Forest Festival Queen is Heather Drake, who was also Miss Photogenic. Her first runner-up, Ashley Floyd, and second runner-up, Krissi Davies, will also give up their crowns.

Floyd was last year's interview winner.

As to the 2004 princess category, Codie Golden took all of the honors. She was selected as Princess for 2004, won Miss Photogenic and won the interview contest.

First runner-up was Jesi Woolf, with Aaren Crew receiving second runner-up.

As to the Junior Miss category, Megan Trout took all of the honors. She was Junior Miss 2004, as well as Miss Photogenic. The first runner-up position went to Mindi Jester, and the second runner-up was Madison Brady.

On the Little Miss results, it was Kristian Starns in 2004, whole Hayle White got Miss Photogenic. First runner-up was Olivia Grace Moore and Krista Harper was second runner-up.

On the Tiny Miss for Forest Festival 2004, the winner was Peyton Bradshaw, with Sidney Kuykendall as first runner-up and Kayna Kuykendall as second runner-up. Bradshow was also Miss Photogenic.

When the 2005 selections occur on Sept. 24, the girls mentioned will be invited to be on hand to turn over their crowns.

Winners for 2005, runners-up and Miss Photogenic winners, will be invited to ride in the parade.