The Beauty Pageant Birthday Party

I was at a meeting a few weeks back and the city of Freeport was mentioned. I said I’d only ever been to Freeport once—for a Beauty Pageant Birthday Party. Well, that got everyone’s attention and the conversation briefly turned. Briefly because I promised I’d blog about it.
(You really need the pictures!)

I met my friend Michelle on my second pass through college. We were both in the Visual Communications program at NIU. So it’s a given that she’s creative, right? You have no idea! As a return student, I was quite a bit older than most of my fellow VisCommies, but Michelle liked me anyway. She invited me to participate in her Beauty Pageant Birthday Party. And even though anyone who knows me knows that’s not my thang, I went.

I’m so glad I did! Michelle had it all planned out. We worked together on hair and make-up and put on whatever fancy dress we’d brought for the occasion. I am not a clothes horse, I wear t-shirts and jeans!  Luckily I still had (and fit into) a bridesmaid dress I’d worn several years earlier. Michelle made each of us our own sash and titled us according to our birth month. I was Miss October. We were presented with lovely roses with ribbons.

But the BEST part was the location photo shoot. We were chauffeured to Krape Park to be shot by an accredited photographer (who had the Michelle designed and printed press pass to prove it). It’s a beautiful park! And my only claim to Freeport fame.

Although we joked plenty about the talent and bathing suit competitions, we skipped those parts. Obviously the Winner was the lovely and talented Birthday Girl, Michelle.

As you can see from the photos, the party was a success. And a lot of fun. Despite my updo, I was able to let my hair down and goof around in formal wear.
After World Peace, that’s my wish for everyone.

Posing pretty.

Even pretty girls pass gas.