An Official Miss California and Miss America Preliminary Pageant
About the Miss Lake County Pageant
The Miss Lake County Pageant has a long, rich tradition dating back 70 years. In 1936, Marion Curry Geoble was crowned Miss Lake County at the inaugural pageant. Marion reigned as Miss Lake County an unprecedented 28 years! That's because the pageant would not be held again until 1964, when Bette Prather was crowned. After 1964 the pageant was back for good, and today it is known as the only preliminary pageant to Miss California that is held outdoors!
Each year the Miss Lake County Pageant is held at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport, California. While the dates vary slightly, the pageant is typically held on a Friday night in mid-August. (The 2006 pageant is scheduled for Friday, August 11th.)
Each year, young women from across the county come to compete for the honor of being called the next Miss Lake County. The pageant typically opens up with special remarks from pageant directors and committee members, Miss California officials, and other distinguished guests. In fact, Miss California herself is usually in attendance and says a few words.
But things quickly get down to business. Like in all Miss America preliminaries, the contestants are judged in the following categories. The one with the highest overall score among the panel of judges is crowned Miss Lake County.
Personal Interview (25 % of total score): Each contestant participates in a private interview with the panel of judges. Scoring is based on overall communication skills including personality and intelligence, overall first impression and personal appearance, and whether the contestant possesses quality that would make her a good Miss America. The audience doesn't get to see this interview, as it takes place earlier in the day.
Talent (35 % of total score): Each contestant performs a 2 minute routine of their own choosing. Scoring is based on skill, personality, interpretive ability, technical skill level, stage presence and a totality of all elements. Talent performances can range from singing to dramatic monologues to playing a musical instrument.
Evening Wear (20 % of total score): Each contestant appears onstage in an outfit of her own choosing representative of something she would wear to a social event. Scoring is based on overall first impression, sense of confidence, personality and stage presence, walk and posture, appropriateness of attire, and sense of attractiveness.
Swimwear (15 % of total score): Each contestant appears briefly on stage in a swimsuit of her own choosing. Scoring is based on overall first impression, statement of physical fitness and health, overall physique which is pleasing to her height, weight, and bone structure, walk, posture and grace, sense of confidence, and presence on stage.
On-Stage Question (5% of total score): The on-stage interview phase of competition is designed for the contestant to make an on-stage statement of her interests, opinions, and aspirations. Overall "first impression," charisma, and stage presence to be a spokeswoman for the state/local organization will be evaluated. Judges will give special attention to whether or not the contestant answered the question and if she had the commanding presence to make the audience want to listen to her.
Depending on the number of contestants, the top five are usually announced. Then from the top five, the countdown begins from fourth runner-up all the way to the new Miss Lake County.
Miss Lake County definitely celebrates after being crowned, but she must quickly get to work. She is now a representative of all of Lake County, and has the honor of attending various social events and charity functions as a guest of honor. And in addition to making progress in her platform issue, an issue in which she presents herself as an advocate for, she must get ready for the Miss California Pageant that is usually held the next July! At the Miss California Pageant, Miss Lake County has the great opportunity to meet (and compete against) some of the finest young women from across California. She even has the chance to possibly represent her state on a national level, and maybe even become the next Miss America!
As pageant directors, we strongly believe in the power of the Miss America Program. Miss Lake County is not only a competition, but it is also a powerful arena in which young women can develop confidence, public speaking skills, and make friends that will last them a lifetime. All contestants in the Miss Lake County Pageant even earn scholarship money for college! If you are a young woman living in Lake County, we hope you will consider joining us this summer and become a contestant in the Miss Lake County Pageant.
