The Gold Dust Royalty Pageant is about far more than what its participants look like. It's about community advocacy, self-esteem, helping others, volunteerism and being the best that you can be.
Co-directed by Patty and Katelyn Baller, the yearly pageant has typically taken place in July during Gold Bar's Gold Dust Days festival. This year, in order to enhance the experience for the incoming royalty, the pageant will take place at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, in the Gold Bar Elementary School gym (419 Lewis Ave.). Patty and Katelyn figured that by scheduling the pageant ahead of the festival, which will take place July 24, 25 and 26, it will give the new royalty a more comprehensive opportunity to be a part of the festival.
Admission to the pageant is free, but guests are encouraged to bring an item of food to donate to the pageant food drive.
Since taking over the pageant in 2013, Patty and Katelyn have continued to find ways to keep it fresh, interesting and constantly evolving. Last year they added a Baby Miss division, and this year they are adding a boys division, along with two new titles. Sky Valley girls and boys of all ages are welcome to compete GÇô the pageant is accepting new participants up until July 13.
The admission fee is $50, and scholarships are available. Patty and Katelyn never want finances to be an obstacle to participation, and will work with anyone who cannot afford the fee.
This year's competition will award Gold Dust titles in nine different age categories, including Baby Miss (6-months to 2 years), Tiny Miss (3 GÇô 4), Little Miss (5 GÇô 7), Junior Miss (8 GÇô 10), Pre-Teen Miss (11 GÇô 12), Teen Miss (13 GÇô 15), Miss (16 GÇô 18), Prince (2 GÇô 8) and King (9 GÇô 18). In addition to the Queen, Prince and King titles, awards will be given in several optional categories including Ambassador, Cover Model and Overall Talent.
Lin'z Lucey, the reigning Gold Dust Queen of Queens, will crown the new Queen of Queens, a title that will be awarded to the 2014 GÇô 2015 Gold Dust Queen who has made the most appearances and accomplished the most community service over the past year. Whoever is crowned Queen of Queens will remain involved over the next year, serving as a mentor to the incoming royalty.
The pageant will feature two brand new titles this year, including Alumni and Lifetime Queen. For the Alumni title, any previous member of the Gold Dust Royal Court will be able to compete. The Lifetime Queen recipient will be hand-selected by Patty and Katelyn based on very specific criteria.
Gold Dust Royalty contestants will compete in several categories, including interview, personal introduction, formal wear and photogenic. The structure the interview portion of the competition is based on the age of the participants and different criteria applies for each different division.
Every year, Gold Dust Royalty spend the bulk of the year performing community service, fundraising and participating in community events like Gold Dust Days, National Night Out and Sky Valley Relay for Life. This year, along with supporting Sultan organizations like the Volunteers of American Western Washington Food Bank and Operation Full Bellies, Patty and Katelyn plan to get even more involved in Relay for Life.
"This year we're going to hit Relay really heavy,GÇ¥ Patty said. "That's going to be our big fundraiser for this year.GÇ¥
Additionally, they will be broadening their involvement in Sultan's Winterfest this year, by managing concessions during the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce's winter craft extravaganza.
Each contestant will go home with a trophy, crown, sash, goody bag and t-shirt. The pageant is seeking a pageant emcee, plus additional swag for the goody bags. Boy-oriented prizes in particular are still needed. Businesses can donate products or sponsor the pageant via monetary donations. Contributing businesses will get a live announcement during the pageant and be listed in the event program.
For more information about the pageant, please visit the Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gold-Dust-Royalty-Pageant/516285918453215?sk=timeline, or the webpage at: http://pattyballer.wix.com/miss-gold-dust. To help support the pageant or to find out how get more involved, please contact Patty Baller at: pattyballer@hotmail.com or 425-238-0289.
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