Miss Kalgoorlie Pageant continues to grow in its second year

Crowns are being polished and sashes have arrived ahead of the annual Miss Kalgoorlie pageant, with its founder already blown away by the number of entrants.

Now in its second year, the Miss Kalgoorlie Pageant has already doubled the entries from its inaugural pageant, with more than 30 hopefuls signed up for the June 13-14 event.

After only 18 entered in last year’s pageant, founder Grace Morton — who also runs the Miss Tasmania pageant — said this year’s response had been “amazing”, with 13 contestants who have signed up flying in from across Australia.

“The pageant is open Australia-wide because the whole point is not only to help the people within our community, but to bring people here and change the stigma about the town,” she said.

“Tasmania is similar where it’s a rural location that not a lot of people tend to go to unless they’re going on a holiday, and in Kalgoorlie obviously people go here to work,” she said.

“I’m trying to change the stigma of this town because it is quite a lovely place to come visit with a lot of history that people should know about.”

Entries remain open until June 1, or until capacity is reached.

Feedback from last year’s event resulted in the development of a new category, Parent and Me.

“The parents really wanted this and I think it will be a great bonding experience, so I’m really excited for this one,” Mrs Morton said.

“The contestants will walk on stage with their dad or their mum and dress in cute matching outfits and just have a fun time together.”

Last year’s pageant raised more than $6000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and this year the chosen charity is the Goldfields Children Charity.

Mrs Morton said there would be no pressure for contestants to raise a certain amount of money, but the one who raises the most would be crowned Miss or Mr Charity.

The category is one of several extras that can score contestants additional crowns or sashes, including runway categories in formal, casual and fashion wear.

There are seven main categories available for girls, boys, men and women to enter from age zero to over 30.

Mrs Morton said she was looking forward to seeing this year’s contestants up on stage, having a good time.

“It’s really cute to see how it becomes a parent and kid day, in particular with the girls and their mums or dads — they get to be a princess for the day and have fun with all the girly-type things,” she said.

“If they’re a single dad doing it as well, it gives an opportunity for them to do something fun with their daughter as well.

“And with the boys — they honestly seem to have more fun than the girls.”

She said she was blown away by community support shown for the event last year, noting there was often only ever family members in the crowd, but she saw many community members coming to show their support, and she hoped to see that again this year.

Tickets are on sale now and can be bought online at minimisspageants.com