MCLOUD BLACKBERRY PAGEANT Welcome Contestants, Thank you for your interest in the McLoud Blackberry Pageant. The McLoud Blackberry Festival and Pageant is a decades old tradition and we are excited that you are planning to be a part of it, and McLoud s rich history. You are about to embark on an invaluable experience that will remain memorable in the years to come. This year s pageant promises to be one of the most exciting ever, and we are thrilled to have you as a Contestant. As you go through the preparations involved in participating we hope you find it to be a journey of self-discovery and development and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about yourself and be sure to enjoy your moment in the spotlight!!!! Ultimately, success is not measured by whether you wear the crown or not; true success is determined by how you prepare, how you compete, and how you handle the outcome. By participating in the Miss McLoud Blackberry Pageant, you are taking the step to become a part of your community and a part of something to carry with you for the rest of your life. Remember, that we already view you and your sister contestants as WINNERS. It is our hope that you will enjoy the pageant and that for years to come you will feel enriched by the experience and the new friends you have made. We want to make this pageant time one of the best memories of your life!! Enclosed in this packet you will find information about our upcoming pageant activities, pre/post pageant information, and rules & expectations. Please make sure to read these documents thoroughly. There is a lot of information in this contestant information pack to stay organized and remember to keep on schedule. I am looking forward to having a wonderful time and a having a great Pageant. If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to give me or the McLoud Chamber a call. Great Luck! Sincerely, Kim Lesneski Pageant Coordinator
Contact Information: McLoud Chamber Web Site: McLoudchamber.com Email: chamber@mcloudchamber.com 215 S. 6 th ST, McLoud, Oklahoma 74851 / 405-964-6566 Office hours: Mon, Wed, and Friday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Coordinator s Contact Information: Pageant Coordinator: Kim Lesneski/ 405-651-9805 / klesneski@dobson.net Co-Coordinator: Melanie Krause/ 405-202-3680 / officemanager@mcloudchamber.com WHAT TO DO NEXT: 1. Be sure to read all documents that are in included in your packet. Read it thoroughly and remember to share all information with your parents. Also, be sure to return the required paperwork on or before your deadlines. 2. Prioritize although we provide ample time to prepare for your fundraisers it will come around sooner than you expect. Just be aware of your time frame 3. Mark your Calendar, your deadlines and rehearsals and fundraisers time frames are listed in your pageant packet. Please put them on your calendar. 4. Fundraiser, Fundraiser, Fundraiser!!! Start Fundraising, get your jars out and start scheduling locations for your fundraisers. 5. Start making planes to find transportation for the Blackberry Parade that you will be riding in. 6. Attend all scheduled meetings, they are for your benefit. 7. Practice your interview and your introduction in front of family and friends 8. Be on the lookout for an evening gown and interview outfit unless you already have them 9. Don t forget the most important thing to enjoy and have a great time!!! PAGEANT ETTIQUETTE: None of these things will win or lose a pageant for you. However, once you have entered the pageant everyone is watching you and it is important to make a good impression. These guidelines will help you create an impression of a responsible, confident, organized individual who can handle any job given to her. Meet every deadline Follow all Rules (They are for your safety and security) Be neat and clean (No one should have to pick up after you) Be organized (it is your responsibility to arrive with everything you need) Be prepared (it is your responsibility to know what s happing and to be ready) Get acquainted (you should get to know the other contestants, and the coordinators) Be respectful to everyone Be cheerful even when your name is not called Only one person can win the crown, but if you don t you re still a Winner for trying!! Be a gracious winner It is important to always keep a positive attitude it can make a world of difference Do not get caught up in any gossip or rumors that may go around (none of it is usually true) While on stage, stay in the moment and don t stress out about the next phase of competition Enjoy each moment as it comes!! Most importantly remember you can do this, RELAX HAVE FUN, AND GO FOR IT!!!!!
WARDROBE INFORMATION: Casual Wear: 20 s Theme for casual wear it should complement the contestant s personality and express her style, and individuality. Age appropriate. (JR. Baby Princess, Baby Princess, Tiny Tot, JR. Princess, Princess) On stage Introduction: You will introduce yourself with your name, age and something about yourself: (Pre-Teen, Teen, Coed, Miss/Ms, Mrs.) Evening Wear: Select a gown that you would feel comfortable wearing. Make sure it fits properly; select a color and fabric that looks good on you. Make sure you feel comfortable in the gown. You should wear it it should not wear you. Keep in mind that it will be hot It doesn t have to be beaded or expensive to look like a million bucks on you! (All Divisions) Interview Wear: Your interview outfit should be conservative in appearance and appropriate for a job interview. It is recommended that wear a dress suit, nice dress, or you re Sunday best. (Pre-Teen, Teen, Coed, Miss/Ms, Mrs.) Opening Number: You will need to wear jeans, jean shorts or jean capris and your Pageant T-Shirt, with tennis shoes. You will be dancing so be comfortable. (Jr. Princess, Princess, Pre-Teen, Teen, Coed) Rehearsals and Meetings: Something comfortable that you can move in, tennis shoes (no sandals), water & hair tie (if needed). Bank: You should dress in your Sunday best while you are promoting the Blackberry Festival at the bank. Parade: It will be hot so a nice summer dress. COMPETITIONS: On Stage Introduction: The contestant will give a 30 second or less introduction of her choice. Casual Wear: The casual wear phase of competition is designed for the contestant to present herself as a dynamic, contemporary, beautiful young woman. This is an opportunity to see if the contestant can connect with the audience. Evening Wear: This is the elegance and grace portion of the competition. Keep in mind during evening wear competition that it is you that the judge is looking at, not the evening clothes you are wearing. This is a time for your stage presence to shine. Relax, be yourself and let your true beauty shine through. Let the audience see your self-confidence, poise, and personality Personal Interview: During your personal interview judges will score you on poise, self-confidence and ease in speaking to an adult. Your personal interview will take place in a private judge s room. Contestants will talk with each judge one at a time. Judges will be seated at individual tables and contestants are brought into the room for one-on-one conversations with each judge. When the interview with one judge ends, you will stand up and move to the next judges table until you have interviewed privately with each judge. Interviews are timed, and a staff member will tell you when it is time to move to the next judges table Fundraising: Monies earned with your jars, and your fundraisers plus the day at the bank selling blackberry jam and/or selling ads for the program book. The person that raises the most in each age division will be awarded 15 points for this category, second place will get 10 points, and all others will receive 5 points towards their total score. The person who sells the most ads will be awarded the Cover Girl Title.
HELPFUL HINTS FOR COMPETITIONS: Evening Wear Competition: Allows contestants an ideal opportunity to look elegant, beautiful and project the image of a winner. You need only bring one evening gown to the pageant as you will wear the same gown for evening wear competition and for the final crowning. Your gown may be any color. The perfect gown for you will be flattering with your hair color, skin tone, complexion and figure and will help you feel self-confident. Make sure you look your very best, whether your gown is borrowed or cost $35 or $350! It s you that makes the gown, not the gown that makes you! Do not wear a stiff hoop skirt: they are awkward to handle on stage Your shoes should complement your gown and be easy for you to walk in Accessorize appropriately making sure that your accessories do not draw attention away for your face Do not wear or carry hats, gloves, corsages or umbrellas Your gown may be tea-length or longer (keep in mind that you are on an elevated stage) Personal Interview Competition: First impressions are lasting impressions! To help ensure the judges see you as their winner, you must create a complete image both with your body language and your outfit. It is very important to find the right outfit to fit your personality. It should be ageappropriate, and flattering. It should be conservative in appearance and appropriate for a job interview. This is a great time for you to develop your interview skills. Your outfit should make you look and feel like a winner! Project your voice so you may be easily heard Don t act shy or bored Do not chew gum Portray confidence in your posture, words and voice inflection Make eye contact with each judge and don't fidget Smile and let your personality shine!!! Hints for a winning interview, evening gown, and on-stage introduction: Grace and poise from the time you enter the judges room to the time you leave Appearance, outfit and grooming Self-confidence Ability to express your opinions and to think and speak clearly Strong character and convictions Sense of values Direct answers First impression General knowledge Vocabulary and grammar Personality (let it shine!) Eliminate the following as much as possible during interview and introduction: yea, um, you know, like and well The way you present your answer is just as important as what you say You should strive to appear self-confident even if you are nervous Always answer questions in a positive manner Never put yourself or others down Do not slouch Project your interest in what the judge is saying Keep your feet and legs still. You will appear nervous if you bounce or shake them Make eye contact with the judges! Looking directly at the judges will show them that you are self-confident and honest Don t fold your arms or fidget with dress while on stage, or during your interview Smile and be true to yourself These suggestions will not only help you thru the pageant but will also be useful for situations throughout your life.
DETAILS: Attendance: Attendance is mandatory (unless otherwise discussed) at all scheduled events. Please refer to the calendar in your packet for your schedule. Contestants are also expected to be on time to all events. Please be respectful of everyone and arrive on time. At competition events you need to be there at least 30 minutes before start times (unless otherwise discussed). Rehearsals: Rehearsals are very important! You will be learning and practicing how to enter and exit the stage, and how to walk and turn on stage. The only Rehearsals that will be closed to spectators will be the ones you will be learning the dance for the opening number (0 years old 10 years old must be occupied by parent/guardian to be with them during rehearsals). We encourage you to bring shoes you will be wearing with your dress to practice in when rehearsing for the evening gown competition. All other rehearsals wear comfy shoes. Jr. Baby Princess, Baby Princess and Tiny Tot Princess, will just need to come to Rehearsals the week before the pageant to learn where they will be in the Lineup. Dressing Room: We will only have access to the dressing room for two events. Friday when you do your Evening Gown competition (you will need to arrive in your EVENING GOWN) for your on stage introduction, afterwards you will go directly to the Dressing Room to get ready for your causal wear competition (will differ with age divisions) you will need to take all of your belongings with you after you change because the room will be locked right after you leave to start the casual were competition. Then on Saturday it will be the same way you will arrive in your Opening number outfit and then change into your evening gown for crowning. One female Parent / Guardian will be allowed in the dressing room with you. Contestants are expected to bring everything you need to compete in the pageant. Please clean up after yourself. Contestant Numbers: Contestants will randomly draw their individual contestant number at the first meeting. Numbers cannot be assigned or switched with other contestants. You must wear it all times during competitions. It will be worn on your right hip. Parade: The Blackberry Festival Parade on Saturday morning is a must attend. Registration begins at 8:00 AM at the High School and the Parade will begin promptly at 10:00. Please go to your designated parade spot (on 8 th street) after you have reregistered and wait for the start of the parade. (Enclosed in the packet is a form for the parade you need to fill out and return as soon as you get the required information). Pageant contestants are responsible for securing their own vehicle and providing their own signage. The signage should have the participants name and what they are running for. For example: Lucy Blue Blackberry Queen Candidate. Several past contestants have ridden in convertibles, pickup trucks, and cars with T-tops or sunroofs, horses, etc. Conduct: Contestants, chaperones, family members, friends and supporters are expected to show good sportsmanship throughout the pageant that includes prior to, during, and after the events. Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated and will result in the disqualification of the contestant. Judges: Judges scores are final!! The chamber board, significant others, and affiliates do not have any control over the judge s tallies. Any negative comments about the board, judges, or newly crowned royalty will not be tolerated. No approaching the judges before, during or after the competitions. The judges come from a diverse range of occupations. The common bond they all share is that they are successful in their own right; they have a grasp of the importance of good communications skills, self-discipline and public image. They are there to pick a winner based on the contestants, not who likes who best. They will be looking for an articulate, compassionate, and genuine individual who will make a good representative for her community.
Each Contestant will receive a Pageant T-Shirt Runner ups will receive a Trophy PRIZES: TINY TOT PRINCESS/JR. PRINCESS/PRINCESS/PRE-TEEN/JR. TEEN/TEEN/COED Crown Banner Trophy Professional Photo Shoot Session Group Portrait displayed for the year of reign in the Chamber Office Picture posted on the Chamber website and press release to the local newspapers. + More JR. BABY PRINCESS/BABY PRINCESS/MISS/MRS/SENIOR QUEEN S/MISS PHOTOGENIC/ MISS TALENT/MISS MODELING/MISS ACTING Crown Banner Trophy Professional Fashion Photo Shoot Group Portrait displayed for the year of reign in the Chamber Office Picture posted on the Chamber website and press release to the local newspaper MISS CONGENIALITY AND COVER GIRL TITLE Crown Banner Trophy Professional Fashion Photo Shoot Group Portrait displayed for the year of reign in the Chamber Office Picture posted on the Chamber website and press release to the local newspaper
ROYAL OBLIGATION: Include 6 different area parades or events throughout your year s reign Must attend and be a part of next year s Pageant and crowning a new year of Royalty Represent you title in the Blackberry Festival Parade 2018* Must do at least one community service act (Queen/Princess) * Attend Ribbon cuttings for the McLoud Chamber* Attend United Way Day of Caring (Queen/Princess) * Attend McLoud s Chili Cook Off and work in the Chamber Booth* Attend Scheduled events* Attend Chamber Banquet Must attend the Monthly July Chamber business meeting Represent your Title in the McLoud Schools Homecoming Parade* Must maintain a current phone/cell number and if possible email address for contact for upcoming events. A candidate winning a title cannot run for the same title again but may compete again in future years if there is a higher/older title for which they meet the requirements. The events marked with a * will go towards your 6 events requirements. Jr. Blackberry Baby Princess, Baby Princess, Tiny Tot, Mrs., Ms., Miss, and Senior Title holders will not have to do the events throughout the year of reign unless you choose to. DISQUALIFICATION OF TITLE: Failure to perform the required duties or any conduct that the McLoud Chamber deems inappropriate or embarrassing for the Chamber or the community could, at the discretion of the Chamber Board of Directors, warrant the removal of the awarded title. The runner-up will assume the title for the remainder of the term and be recognized as the title holder.
Media Release: MCLOUD BLACKBERRY PAGEANT Miss Blackberry Pageant/Festival/And All Activities during Your Reign: I hereby give photographers assigned by the Festival/Pageant Activities During Your Reign to take photographs of the minor named below or photographs in which the minor may be involved with others for the purpose of promoting the Miss Blackberry Pageant and Festival. I hereby release and discharge professional photographers, for the Miss Blackberry Pageant and Festival, and all Pageant Activities during Your Reign, and its Festival Board members and Directors form any and all claims arising out of the use of the photos, or any right that I or the minor may have. I, am 18 or older and am able to contract for the minor in the above regard. I have read the above statement and fully understand its contents. Signature Date: Name (Please Print): Address: Name of Minor: Relationship to Minor:
MCLOUD BLACKBERRY PAGEANT Emcee Form: Contestant Number: Division: Name: Parent(s) Name: Hobbies: Favorite Color: Favorite Food: Favorite Entertainer: Ambition: Please Print or Type neatly in dark Ink Turn in as soon as possible
Conduct Agreement: MCLOUD BLACKBERRY PAGEANT This Pageant is a special time for caring, sharing, growth and love in your family. It is your daughter s time to experience personal growth, gain self-confidence and to meet new friends. We believe that every one of your daughters has an inward desire to succeed and make us proud. It is important that they know you are behind them whatever the outcome or situation. If she trips on her dress or falls on her face don t even mention it. Just let her know how proud you are that she remembered to smile and it took courage for her to finish. There will be many teachable moments for you as a parent during the Pageant. They are priceless: use them in a positive and loving manner. After the Pageant is over, no matter how your daughter did, keep your focus on what is truly important. Remind her that she is always a winner in your eyes. Remind her that the Pageant is for everyone, not just the winner. As parents we should congratulate each and every winner and encourage our daughters to do the same. This is a unique opportunity to help our daughters build character. True winners show excitement and kindness not only when they win, but also when they don t. No staff member or judge has any interest in one girl placing above another. Our judges come from a wide variety of backgrounds. There is no collective attitude about hair color, height, or anything else. Judges are forbidden from discussing anything about their scoring with each other. One lesson you do not want your daughter to learn is that if she doesn t win or place, then the competition was not fair. Statements like I did not like the selection of judges at all, or that girl did something different, but she still won, serves no positive purpose. These statements only reinforce to your daughter that if she does not win throughout life, it is because things were not fair. Gossip, rumors and ill feelings are destructive and have no place in the Pageant program. We deal in truth; we don t want your feelings about our Pageant compromised by speculation, rumors, and gossip, personally or on social media. It is our pledge to provide the highest level of service to you, your daughter and your family. Each contestant in the Pageant is special and we wish each of you the very best of luck. We look forward to sharing this experience with you!!! Candidate Signature: Parent/Legal Guardian Signature: Date:
MCLOUD BLACKBERRY PAGEANT Participant, Parent, Guardian Waiver and Indemnity Agreement: McLoud Blackberry Festival, Parade, Pageant and all Activities during Your Reign: Date: Participant Name: In consideration of your accepting the above-named entry for participation in the McLoud Blackberry Festival Parade, Pageant and all events that will be held by the Chamber or Individuals during year of Reign. The above-named entry hereby, for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, waive and release any and all rights and claims for damages that I may have against the above-named organization and its agents, employees, representatives, successors and assigns for any and all injuries suffered by the above-named entry that arise out of the participation in the Blackberry Festival and all other activities sponsored by the McLoud Chamber of Commerce, or individuals. I warrant that I have the right to authorize the foregoing and do hereby agree to hold the above-named organization, and persons harmless of and from any liability of whatever nature, which may arise out of or result from such participation in any events. For the consideration stated above, I further agree that in the event that the above named entry or its participants should make any claim against the McLoud Chamber of Commerce, or persons for damages arising out of participation in the Blackberry Festival Parade and Pageant, or any activities during year of reign, I will personally indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the organization and its agents, employees, representatives, successors, and assigns against any and all loss and damage occasioned thereby, including attorney s fees. I have read and understand this agreement and have willingly placed my signature below as evidence of my acceptance of all the conditions contained herein. SIGNATURE (AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE): TITLE & NAME:
Parade Registration Form 2018: Please Print MCLOUD BLACKBERRY PAGEANT Contestants Name: Title Running For: Contact Person: Phone#: Address: City: State: Zip: E-Mail Address: Categories: Pageant Candidates Assigned Numbers must be displayed on passenger side of windshield Please use the following space to provide a narrative about your entry for the announcers. This must be filled in or no announcement will be made at review stand. Please PRINT and keep announcements brief. (May be edited)
Official Handbook/Forms