Popeye Picnic to feature Little Popeye Royalty Contest
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Plans are underway for a new event at this year's Popeye Picnic! Many Chesterites will remember the annual Popeye King and Queen contests that were highlights of the picnic during its early years. Beginning in 2011 the picnic committee has decided to re-invent that concept, but this time as a Little Popeye Royalty Contest for boys and girls, ages 4 to 10 years of age. Contestants may be sponsored by businesses, organizations, family members, etc. The entry fee will be $100 per contestant. Winning will be based on cash votes and voting will be done by placing cash in voting boxes during the weeks leading up to the 2011 picnic. Voting box locations will be announced at a later date. Contestant sponsors may hold fundraisers if they wish, in order to raise cash for their candidates. The contest is schedule to run from May 1 to September 1, 2011.
According to Popeye Picnic chairperson Debbie Brooks, it is hoped that, during this first year of the event, enough candidates register for the contest to enable the committee to announce a Little Mr. Royalty and a Little Miss Royalty. "We'll just have to wait and see how many entries we get," she said.
The coronation for the Little Popeye Royalty Contest would be scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 9 at the Gazebo Park next to Spinach Can Collectibles. A different location would be named, in the event of inclement weather. Each winner would receive a crown, a sash, a trophy, a goody bag of prizes and their name placed on the Popeye character statue that would be unveiled during the subsequent year's picnic. In addition, all candidates would have the opportunity to ride in the Popeye Parade on the day following the coronation.
The chairperson for the contest will be Gwendy Garner. Anyone wishing to register a contestant or needing more information may contact Garner at 618-826-4143. No immediate family member of a Popeye Picnic trustee is eligible to participate in the contest.