MASON COUNTY — Many local girls no doubt look forward to the various beauty pageants held throughout the year in Mason County and now a new pageant is looking to join in with the rest and become an annual event.

Beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16, the first Miracle Makers Children’s Christmas Pageant will be held at the Point Pleasant Event Center located near Camp Conley. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.

According to Pageant Director Payton Whitt, the deadline to enter the pageant is Dec. 7 and there are age divisions from birth to 16 years old. Whitt, who has competed in several pageants over the year, also explained the ideas behind this pageant, saying it is a way to give back to the community around the holidays.

“It’s a time of giving and it felt like it would be a good thing to do before Christmas,” Whitt said.

It their efforts to give back to the community, it was reported that a portion of the proceeds from the pageant and all of the donations collected will be donated to the WVU Children’s Hospital in Morgantown. Those with the pageant also ask that all those who wish to compete bring an item from the hospital’s wish list. Some of the items listed on the wish list, by age group, are as follows: Infants (birth to 12 months) — rattles, music boxes, receiving blankets, bibs, booties, pacifiers, teething rings, cloth books, and no stuffed animals; Toddlers and young children (12 months to 4 years) — dolls, blocks, cars and trucks, coloring books, non-toxic crayons, washable markers, board books, wooden puzzles, sippy cups and new stuffed animals;

School age Children (5-11 years) — dolls, Barbies, cars and trucks, action figures, coloring books, non-toxic crayons, washable markers, craft kits, board games, books, puzzles, new stuffed animals; Teens (12-18) — hand-held and board games, puzzles, playing cards, model vehicles kits, jewelry, hair accessories, fingernail polish, books, word find/crossword puzzles, personal hygiene kits, craft kits, DVDs, footballs and basketballs, new stuffed animals; Mothers — body lotion and shower gel, chapstick, hairbrush, hair bands, playing cards, books, crosswords/word find books, scrapbooks, stationary sets, journals, socks, and blankets.

It was also noted contestants should not bring food items or latex balloons.

It was reported there will be two pageants within this one event, a pageant for Sunday Best Attire and a pageant for Christmas/Holiday Wear. For the Sunday Best Attire, contestants should wear dresses or dress clothes that one would wear to church. For an additional $15, contestants may also compete in categories for prettiest hair, prettiest eyes, prettiest smile, and most beautiful. A winner will be named in each age division, and each winner will receive a crown, a trophy, and a sash. All contestants will also receive a trophy and a holiday gift.

For the second pageant, or the Christmas Holiday Wear, contestants are encouraged to be creative and dress as various holiday figures, such as angels, shepherds, Santa, or even reindeer. The entrance fee for this pageant will be $25, and is was also reported that one does not have to compete in the first pageant in order to compete in the second. Each age division in this pageant will also have a winner who will receive a crown and trophy. Other optional categories to compete in for this pageant will be the best Christmas outfit, the most original Christmas outfit, and the outfit showing the most Christmas spirit.

It was also stated that spectators will be able to vote for a crowd favorite by donating $1, which will be donated to the hospital. Admission for the pageant will be $5 a person and children under five are free. There will also be concessions available.

Whitt also wished to acknowledge Ohio Valley Bank and their support of the pageant as well as for their donation of toys to the WVU Children’s Hospital.

For more information on the pageant or how to enter, contact Whitt at 304-812-4494.