Miss Oyster Pearl
Six princesses are vying for the Miss Oyster Pearl Pageant crown.
Six princesses will be vying for the Miss Oyster Pearl Pageant crown at the upcoming Tyne Valley Oyster Festival. Among the contestants is Darcie Augustine, representing the Community of Northam, age 18, is the daughter of Rhonda Arsenault of Northam and Robert Augustine of Lennox Island. Jayda Smith, representing Leslie Hardy and Sons Ltd., is the 17-year-old daughter of Jennifer and Elwyn Bridges from Woodbrooke. Nicole Smith, representing R & M Welding, is age 18 and is the daughter of Stella and Terry Smith of Portage. Breanna Hardy, representing the Freeland Women’s Institute, is 17 years of age and the daughter of Gordon and Tanya Hardy of East Bideford. Amanda Williams, representing Gulf Island Marine is 17 and the daughter of Jody and Jason Williams of MacNeills Mills. Rylee Lynch, representing House Calls Home Improvement is age 18 and the daughter of Devon Broome of Lot 16 and Trevor Lynch of Freeland. The flower girl for this year’s pageant is Erin Sparkes, sevenyear-old daughter of Carrie MacLellan of Tyne Valley and Rick Sparkes of Summerside. The pageant volunteer organizers, Karen Wagner of Port Hill and Rowena Grigg of Northam, have again, devoted countless hours to making the pageant a success as they have been doing for more than 25 years. Family, friends and their communities can see the contestants display their talent, fashion and group number at Britannia Hall in Tyne Valley at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 29. Dance choreographer is Carrie MacLellan of Tyne Valley. Admission is free. On Thursday, Aug. 2, at the Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre at 9:30 p.m., the pageant princesses will compete as a team in the Shuck Cup, a challenge to open the most oysters in 30 minutes. On Friday, Aug. 3, interviews will take place with the pageant judges after the contestants enjoy the Fried Oyster and Scallop Suppers at the Tyne Valley Fire Hall. During the Community Parade through Tyne Valley at 11 a.m. on Aug. 4, the crowd will see each contestant riding through the village in their individual oyster dory. At the Oyster Festival closing on Sunday, Aug. 5, at 4 p.m., the pageant princesses will grace the stage at the Tyne Valley Community Centre in evening wear and again present their group musical number. The grand finale of the Oyster Festival will be the crowning of Miss Oyster Pearl 2018.