A part of most young girls’ fantasies is becoming Cinderella and finding her Prince Charming. They dream of scepters and flowing gowns, sashes and tiaras. As they grow older, those childhood dreams may lead some to enter the world of the beauty pageant.

These young teens look toward the horizon and see fame and riches, to become Miss America or Miss USA. For most, the road begins at a local pageant. The Miss Decatur Barbecue Pageant is one of several spectacles that many teen contestants enter to get their start.

Since its conception in 1953, Miss Decatur Barbecue has produced many civic and business leaders throughout the United States. The most notable is Melonie McGarrah, Miss Decatur Barbecue 1996. McGarrah went on to win the Miss Arkansas Pageant and move on to the Miss America Pageant. She was a top 10 finalist.

In the early years of the Miss Decatur Barbecue contest, cities from across Arkansas would pick a representative to compete. Carolyn Croft -1957, Ginger McFarland-1958 and Virginia MacDonald-1959 were all from Springdale. Judy Eoff -1956, and the second Miss Decatur Barbecue, Janet Montgomery-1954, were from other towns in Northwest Arkansas.

There have only been six girls from Decatur to hold this title, one of whom was Kelsey McClain in 2003. McClain, along with fellow Miss Decatur Barbecue, Leslie Lentz, are now pageant directors.

The reigning Miss Decatur Barbecue is Haley House, daughter of Dony and Michelle House and granddaughter of Ricky and Lavon Stark. She was a 2013 graduate of Gravette High School and served as class president.

She was president of FBLA and DECA, as well as district officer for FBLA.

Her many activities in high school included: FCCLA, Key Club, student council reporter, golf team and boys’ basketball manager. Besides serving as Miss Decatur Barbecue, she won Miss Gravette, Miss Gravette High School, Miss Apple Harvest, Miss Benton County Fair and was a finalist for the Miss Arkansas State Fair. House will attended Northwest Arkansas Community College in the fall, were she plans on becoming a labor and delivery nurse.

She states, “I have loved having the honor as Miss Decatur BBQ because it has given me the opportunity to be a role model and it has introduced me to so many amazing people.”

House will pass on her crown to the 2013 Miss Decatur Barbecue on Aug. 3.

Contestants are required to participate in the parade, which forms up at 10:30 a.m. at the old city park. Contestants will make two appearances, casual wear at 6:30 p.m. and evening wear at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on the Miss Decatur Barbecue Pageant, contact the Decatur Chamber of Commerce at [email protected].

Photo to right: Haley House, center, was crowned 2012 Miss Decatur Barbecue at last year’s pageant.

Community, Pages 20 on 07/31/2013