Odd things about pageants you didn’t know !

So today I had a podcast interview and one of the questions I had to answer was “What’s the most unique or odd thing about pageantry that most people don’t know about?” and I really couldn’t think of anything apart from how hardworking we are so I did a little google and I had to share the things I found out !

So everyone in the pageant community knows the dedication and hard work we put into pageants before hand from community work and charity work and on the final night we have our hair and make up looking the best it can be and our most stunning gowns are tailored to fit us perfectly. We look how everyone imagines a beauty queen to look. But these past pageants are very unconventional.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

But did you know back in the 1930’s there was a pageant/competition called “Miss Lovely Eyes” this was held in Florida as far I can find out. Now this wasn’t a typical pageant or contest as the organisers decided that the women who entered had to have all there face covered apart from there eyes. This was to help the judges just judge on the eyes of the contestants.

The contestants lined up Copyright Unknown

The winner of “Miss Lovely Eyes” Copyright Unknown

I don’t know about you but I’m so glad we don’t have to wear bags on our heads anymore !

Did you think that beauty was only skin deep ?

The next unique pageant I found was “Miss Perfect Posture” this was held in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Now this was nothing like a beauty contest we know today but it does have a similarity of good posture which all queens display on stage. What made this completely different is that the judges were only chiropractors who checked each contestants level of posture using a variety of different methods such as X-Rays, weighing scales, and plumb bobs (used for determining how straight the back was).

The winners with there X-Rays and Trophies Copyright Unknown

Next up gives me Lady Gaga vibes from when she wore a meat dress.

This is “Miss Frankfurter Queen” / “Miss Hot Dog Queen” / “Miss Sausage Queen.

I can’t find much information about this competition/pageant apart from the first picture is from the Zion Meat Company in 1955.

Geene Courtney was crowned National Hot Dog Week Miss Sausage Queen by the Zion Meat Company, 1955. Copyright Unknown

Copyright Unknown Taken in 1956

Talking of food I’ll give you Miss Lemon Queen. All I know is this was in 1920.

Copyright Unknown

Now were off food but it doesn’t stop these pageants/competitions from getting stranger I give you Miss Diaper Queen 1947.

Copyright Unknown

Miss Diaper Queen was crowned at a convention for the Diaper Service Institute of America, In Chicago in 1947. Unfortunately that’s all I can find out.

I’m so glad that these pageants/competitions have now stopped and that the rounds are fashion, eco, swimwear, interview and formal.