The 13^th annual Bridgeport Benedum Festival Pageant for pre-teen, teen and queen categories will be held 6 p.m. June 26 at the Benedum Civic Center. For younger contestants, a children’s pageant will be held at 7 p.m. June 25 at the same location.

 

Registration is open through June 11 for the pageants themed “Denim & Diamonds.” The décor and attire of contestants will reflect that theme, said Pageant Director Kristin Wilson.

 

“In the opening number of the queen’s pageant, they are wearing denim skirts, jeans, vests – anything they can pair with blingy rhinestone or sparkly sequin tops,” she said. "Paired with bright colors, they will really pop." 

 

Girls across the state are encouraged to register for the event. Winners in each age division will reign over this year’s festival and the winner in the queen’s division – ages 16 to 21 – will represent the Benedum Festival in the West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals pageant held annually in January in Charleston. For girls in pursuit of the festival circuit, the Benedum Festival Pageant is a nice stepping stone pageant, Wilson said.

 

“It’s a local level pageant so girls who have competed before can be there to mentor the new girls and help them if they need to improve on something,” she said. “Last year we had a lot of positive feedback. People said they enjoyed the pageant and the time to fellowship with one another.”

 

For all girls who enter, the pageant provides a number of benefits.

 

“It’s a great way for the girls to make friends and it always boosts their confidence in one way or another,” Wilson said.

 

Last year’s Miss Benedum Festival Morgan Smith placed in the top 15 of 80 contestants in the West Virginia Association of Fairs & Festivals Pageant and landed in the top 5 in October’s Miss West Virginia Teen USA Pageant. She plans to continue in the pageant circuit.

 

“Morgan is definitely someone to look out for,” Wilson said.

 

Before crowning her successor, Smith will serve as emcee of the June 25 Children’s Pageant and will assist with the June 26 Queen’s Pageant.

 

“She will assist with interviews and kind of serve as hostess, making contestants feel comfortable, then passing on her title to successor that evening,” Wilson said.

 

Having competed since age 15, Wilson is the former Miss West Virginia United States. This is her second year to direct the Benedum Festival Pageants. She will be assisted this year by her former Miss West Virginia United States Pageant Director Cody-Kristofer Layton.

 

“When I became director of this pageant, he helped me a lot as far as asking questions and he came with me on pageant day for moral support,” Wilson said.

 

Wilson was introduced to the pageant when she assisted longtime Director Judi Giffen. Wilson has taken it upon herself to educate young girls about the pageant experience. A teacher at West Fairmont Middle School, she has implemented a pageant club.

 

“It’s been fun. We have about 20 members and we talk about building self-confidence, what you gain from a pageant – such as public speaking experience and making friends,” she said. “Promoting pageantry in little ways like that not only increases our numbers at the Benedum Festival Pageant, but also pageants everywhere.”

 

Registration packets are available at the Benedum Civic Center or can be requested by email at benedum-pageant@gmail.com.

 

Phases of competition for the pre-teen (ages 10-12), teen (13-15) and queen (16-21) divisions consist of personal interview, including questions about “The Great Wildcatter” Michael Benedum, streetwear and evening gown competition and an on-stage question. Phases of competition for the children’s pageant – baby (1-2), tiny (3-4), little (5-6) and miss (7-9) will feature age-appropriate party dress competition and older contestants will be asked an on-stage question.

 

Registration fee for all children’s divisions is $50 per contestant. Teen and pre-teen registration is $75 and queen registration fee is $100. Winners in each age division will receive a prize package and the reigning queen will have her entry fee paid to the West Virginia Association of Fairs & Festivals Pageant and will receive a $200 discount certificate for the Miss West Virginia USA Pageant.