DECATUR -- Two of the original elements of the Decatur Barbecue are the Miss Decatur Barbecue and Tiny Tots contests. These contests, now in their 64th year, feature some of the most talented young women and children in northwest Arkansas.
Soon new contestants will grace the stage at Veterans Park in Decatur on Aug. 5 to vie for the 2017 Miss Decatur Barbecue and Mister and Miss Tiny Tots titles.
Since its conception in 1953, the Miss Decatur Barbecue pageant has produced many top women civic and business leaders in the United States. The most notable was 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 picked 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. Kelsey McClain Painter, 2003 Miss Decatur Barbecue, was one of only five winners from Decatur.
Four years ago, Painter took over the responsibility of organizing the Miss Decatur Barbecue pageant. She volunteers her time and talent to make this pageant a success. This job requires a lot of legwork chasing down sponsors, finding guest judges and processing applications. The end results are a near flawless performance.
The reigning Miss Decatur Barbecue, Sara Garner from Fayetteville, will soon take one final walk across the Veterans Park stage before turning her crown over to a new Miss Decatur Barbecue. This year's contest will begin with the casual wear competition at 5 p.m. and conclude with the formal wear and crowning ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
In 1953, 25 boys and girls, ages 4-6, took the stage at Decatur's City Park for the first Tiny Tots contest. Over the 64 years of the Barbecue, more than 300 children have participated in this pageant. The 2016 winners, Jazzi Levitt and Eli Whitaker, will turn their crowns and scepters over to the new Mister and Miss Decatur Barbecue.
The Tiny Tots contest is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Veterans Park stage in Decatur.
Barbecue goers will be able to see the contestants of both the Miss Decatur Barbecue and Tiny Tots for the first time during the parade through downtown Decatur, slated to begin at 1:30 p.m.
Who will be crowned the next Miss Decatur Barbecue? Come to Veterans Park in Decatur to find the answer to this question.
For more information, call 479-752-3912.
General News on 08/02/2017