Ms. Brickfest Pageant returns
Brickfest 2022 is returning to Malvern June 24-25, and along with it comes the anticipated return of the annual Miss Brickfest Pageant, taking place June 10-11 in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church.
Miss Brickfest Pageant Director Andrea Emerson is a former contestant, and has been a pageant coach, and judge of numerous competitions. Her involvement in this year’s Miss Brickfest Pageant is extra special and meaningful because Emerson was the very first Miss Brickfest, winning the crown in July 1985. She gladly said yes when asked to take charge of this year’s event.
“I was the first Miss Brickfest. It’s in my heart,” Emerson said. “When I was approached with the idea, I said, ‘Well of course.’“
Emerson said the Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority used to oversee the pageant, but turned it over to the Brickfest organizers this year. The pageant has not taken place since 2019, so Emerson and associates are eager to get back into the swing of things and provide lasting memories for another generation of young women who choose to compete.
“This pageant has been around for over 30 years, so it’s had a good, long run until COVID came along and kind of messed everything up, a little bit,” Emerson said. “And bringing it back, it’s kind of like bringing the glitz and the glamour back to something that’s been around town and part of Brickfest for so long.”
Emerson participated in the 1985 competition with her best friend at the time and enjoyed the experience immensely.
“Competition is great. It’s something I did when I was growing up…it’s fun, for one thing,” Emerson said. “And that’s what we want, to try to make sure that it is a great
experience, and everyone has a good time.”
“You know, when I was in that pageant, my best friend and I were in it together. Sometimes, that’s what friends do,” Emerson said. “It’s a memory- making thing, especially if you’re able to share an experience like that with your best friends or family.”
She said those memories are dear to her now because that friend, Regina Smoke, passed away in 2011.
“The girls that come through and compete could be sharing this experience with some very important people in their lives,” Emerson said. “That’s important to me, to help cultivate those memories with the competitors.”
Emerson will get the opportunity to work closely during this year’s pageant with her current best friend, 2022 Brickfest board member and reigning Miss Hot Spring County, Angela Sexton, to organize this year’s pageant festivities and arrangements for the contestants.
“You know, a hometown pageant is a big deal because that’s one of the hardest things to do in any kind of, even a sport, you’re getting up in front of your peers, your hometown crowd, and it’s a very difficult thing sometimes to do that,” Emerson said. “Some people may feel that they have certain expectations and you’ve got to perform well, and that adds to the pressure of things.”
“It’s not the easiest thing for young girls to get up there and do,” Emerson said, “But there’s a lot of good things that come from pageantry and promoting the development.” She said performing in the pageants is a great way to encourage young women to step outside their comfort zones and be active in the community.
“It can be so much fun, it can be a great experience and something that you take with you, and you learn from,” Emerson said. “I’m truly blessed to have the opportunity to be part of it again like this.”
Emerson said The 2022 Miss Brickfest Pageant is now open for registration and will take place June 10 and 11 at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center.
“It’s an open pageant, so it’s not just restricted to the surrounding area. Anyone from anywhere in the state can enter,” Emerson said. She said the pageant will feature five age divisions, a photogenic category, and a Community Service Award.
Emerson said there will be a party dress/ evening gown competition, interview competitions for the two oldest age divisions, and an onstage question for all contestants.
The three youngest age groups will compete June 11 around 2 p. m., and the Teen and Miss competitions will begin later that evening, tentatively set for 6 p. m., but she said those times could be adjusted before the weekend of the pageant.
Emerson said some great local singing talent will also perform during the event and will be announced soon.
The theme for this year’s pageant is “Puttin’ on the Ritz”, a throwback to the first Miss Brickfest Pageant in 1985.
“The very first pageant, the emcee of the pageant, Don Butler, performed ‘ Puttin’ on the Ritz,” Emerson said.
The theme is also a nod to the renovation currently happening at the Historic Ritz Theatre downtown.
“We thought that it would be really cool with the Ritz Theatre in town, because that theatre has been there forever and ever and ever, actually more years than I’ve been alive,” Emerson said. “To revive the glitz and glamour, especially with the new marquee, and it’s beautiful, it is just the neatest thing.”
Emerson said they have added a $ 250 cash award this year and extended the age categories as follows ( age requirements pertain to age on the day of the pageant):
Little Miss ( Ages 3- 5) Petite Miss ( Ages 6- 8) Junior Miss ( Ages 9- 12) Teen ( Ages 13- 16) Miss ( Ages 17- 22) Contestants will also have the chance to compete in the optional Community Service and Photogenic Award categories. Entry fees are $ 30 for the age categories, an additional $ 10 for the Photogenic category, and no additional fees for the Community Service Award consideration.
“We are going to have a Meet and Greet June 5th at ASU Three Rivers,” Emerson said. “Whoever is going to compete should come that day,” Emerson said, adding that the date coincides with the end of school, and she understands people may be busy or unavailable.
“We would love everybody to be able to be there that is going to compete in the pageant, but if you can’t be there that day, no problem, just make sure that all of the entry forms and fees are mailed in,” Emerson said.
Emerson said the pageant entry forms include the exact rules and requirements and can be accessed by visiting http:// www. malvernbrickfest. com/ or clicking a link on the Miss Brickfest Pageant Facebook page and printing out the forms.
They can also be picked up at schools in Arkadelphia, Bismarck, Lakeside, Magnet Cove, Malvern, and Ouachita, or at Cute AF in Malvern.
Contestants should mail all entry forms and correspondence to: Miss Brickfest, P. O. Box 1138, Malvern, AR 72104. Emerson said she will arrange to pick up forms if necessary and that fees can be paid via cash, checks, or money order if paid before June 5. The last day to enter the Miss Brickfest Pageant is June 8.
Emerson said Pilcher Posey Photography will be available to contestants on the day of competition, June 11. Forms for the photographer packets can also be found at http:// www. malvernbrickfest. com/ or on the Miss Brickfest Pageant Facebook page.
Call or text Emerson at 501- 815- 2482, Sexton at 501- 622- 7680, or email missbrickfest@ gmail. com with any questions.