Minnesota Queen Pageants: Play, Fun, and Dead Seriousness in a Festive Mode

Abstract

Small town queen pageants bear a family resemblance to the larger contests such as the Miss America, Miss USA, and Miss Universe pageants. Like the televised prototype, community queen pageants in Minnesota involve several candidates who participate in evening gown and talent competitions. They all take part in an opening choreographed presentation and must eventually answer questions posed them by a master of ceremonies. Before the public pageant in the evening, there have been extended individual interviews with the judges. As the evening draws to a close, the outgoing queen says a few, carefully chosen, frequently emotion-choked words. There is rising tension as the judges' decision is awaited. Awards are presented for Miss Congeniality (selected by the candidates themselves) and for the winner of the talent competition. At last, to tumultuous applause and shouts of delight and surprise, the runners-up and the winner are identified. The new queen receives a crown, a bouquet of flowers, and a sash. Sometimes she is wrapped in a royal robe. Tearfully, she walks across the stage or along the runway, to the cheers of the multitude.