Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Ami Pitt didn't like what she saw six years ago when she began organizing the pageants at the Kosciusko County 4-H and Community Fair - little girls with mile-high hairdos, dressed in yards and yards of lace and ribbon.
Her displeasure also extended to parents who were mad because their child wasn't chosen as the reigning "cutie."
Then there were the judges' score cards, which listed things like "eyes," "mouth" and "hair."
"All the contestants have eyes, a mouth and hair," Pitt said. "I wondered what could these pageants be used for? Why would I put my kid in this contest?"
So she's gradually been changing the parameters, hosting contests based on personality and not appearance.
This year 2-year-olds compete in the Mister and Miss Toddler, and 3- and 4-year-olds in the Mister and Miss Pre-School.
The contests are designed to build self-confidence and self-esteem to be in front of and to speak in front of people.
"Every parent knows their kid is the best little kid in the world," said the mother of one son and three daughters. "The only appearance-based categories are cleanliness, weather-appropriate clothing and clothing that fits the child's personality."
Otherwise, the judges judge the kids on the whole package: their responses to questions, their conduct, natural charm and attentiveness - if they would make a good representative for the county.
All contestants should wear weather-appropriate dress. If Pitt sees one bead of sweat running down a child's face because they're under 10 pounds of lace, they won't make it into the program.
The little kids do not need makeup or hair spray or elaborate hairdos.
"Do not force the children on the stage," she warned. "You'll be disqualified right there. They'll get to try again and parents can go up with them. I'd rather see a parent on stage than a miserable 3-year-old by themselves."
The main point is not to give a hooey what the judges say.
"Tell your child you brought them here because you're proud of them," she said.
She urges parents to bring their own prizes, a teddy bear, flowers, a tiara.
"When your child comes off the stage, reward them and say they are the best kid in the whole world," Pitt said. "If you reward them yourself, you can all celebrate even more."
She'll never forget the teen contest held a few years ago when a father met his daughter coming off the stage with an armful of roses.
"He held the roses up to her and said, 'Baby, you're the best.'
"She was crying, he was crying, I was crying, women in the audience were crying. I don't even remember the winner's name. Her parents weren't even there. The girl with the roses was the real winner. Everyone there saw the pride her daddy had in her."
There isn't much of a prize budget. Gift certificates in small amounts are donated by businesses.
Boys get baseball caps and girls get tiaras and flowers.
"Every child is a potential winner because their parents can use this as an opportunity to say they're really proud," she said. "You can say 'We really love you.'"
Pitt gets her girls "mommy crowns." Each year she takes this time to tell them how she's seen them change and grow over the last year.
"They both dread and look forward to my assessments," she said. "We all get teary-eyed."
Registration for the contests are taken up to 45 minutes before the "pageants" begin.
The Junior Miss and Mister Kosciusko County Fair contest, ages 8 to 11, is July 1 at 5:30 p.m.; the Miss Teenage, ages 12 to 15, is July 1 at 6:30 p.m.; Mr. and Miss Toddler, for 2-year olds, is July 2 at 5:30 p.m.; and Mr. and Miss Pre-School, ages 3 to 4, is at 7 p.m.
The Little Miss and Mr. contest (5 years old as of Aug. 1 and not 8 years old by Aug. 30) advances to state competition. Interviews are held at 5:30 p.m. July 3 with the contest at 8 p.m.
All the contests are held in the activity tent.
