NORWICH – Every year since 1970, the Chenango County Fair has held its Miss Chenango County Teen-ager pageant. This year was no exception; however, with a slightly smaller turnout.
According to pageant coordinator Dick Gillespie, the two contestants who participated this year marked a significant drop compared to previous years.
“The decline began in 2008,” said Gillespie. “The economic situation really went downhill, and now people just don’t have the money to do this.”
Despite the low turnout, this year’s pageant still went well, said Gillespie. The contest was split between a casual dress and formal dress section with a one minute question and answer session before the judges deliberated and returned with the winner.
This year’s Miss Chenango County, Logann Dolan from Norwich, said she’s been participating in pageants since she was six months old and has even won her fair share, but this will be the first time she is going to state competitions in the teens age group. According to Logann, competitions are always a challenge, this time in particular because she is one of the youngest girls competing, but that she believes she will do well due to her confidence.
Logann also has a theory about why participation has decreased the last few years.
“Girls just aren’t as into it anymore,” she said. “I think they should be though, it’s great experience and it’s just so much fun.”
According to Ashley Holbrook, who has been judging the Miss Chenango County Teen-ager pageant for the last two years, it’s most likely the strain on wallets that has influenced the turnout. However, she thought despite the lack of the contestants, the pageant itself went well.
“Both girls were nice, well-mannered and very prepared,” she said. Holbrook said she enjoyed getting the chance to judge these events.
“Overall, across the state, our numbers are actually up this year,” said Gillespie. Starting in 1974, he also began organizing the pageants state-wide and up until two years ago held the state competition in Norwich. In 2007, according to Gillespie, there were 530 entries compared to 2010, when only 205 girls competed. This year there have already been more than 2010, although final numbers have not been tallied, he said.
Gillespie hosts 19 pageants throughout the summer across New York state and said that despite the changes, he still loves doing it.
“I love getting on stage and making people laugh, making them feel comfortable.” he said with a smile. “I’m just a big ham.”
Gillespie said he prefers doing the pageants at county fairs because the atmosphere is a lot less formal and a lot more fun.
“It also give the kids something to do when they’re not on stage,” he said.
The state competition will be held this year on Sept. 13 at Lake George. Gillespie said the turnout should be fairly good and that he’s sure the girls will have fun.
Barbara Jordan, Miss Southern Tier, and Kerra Matalka, Miss Tioga County, were also on site to help present the awards and talk to anyone interested in learning more about the pageants.
“You get to meet a lot of people,” said Jordan. “And it definitely helps with public speaking.”
“It helps with your stage presence so much,” agreed Matalka. “Plus it’s something you can put on a resume.”
Despite the lack of entries, the event was still fairly well attended with around half of the seats in the event tent full. Gillespie said he hopes in coming years there will be more girls interested in competing.
“I’m reasonably sure it’s due to the economy,” he said. “But you fight your way through the bad, and eventually you’re going to get back to the good.”
For more information on the Miss Teen-ager Pageant of New York, contact Dick Gillespie at 226-2347.