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Pageantry adds to excitement of Park Fete week
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Ten young women will be vying for the title of Miss Escalon in a Wednesday, July 24 pageant during Park Fete Week activities. The new Miss Escalon and her court will then take part in a number of official duties for the Park Fete celebration, July 26 and 27. Photo Courtesy Of Leanne Castellanos/Cstreetsocial photography

A pair of pageants are on the schedule next week, as the festivities for Escalon’s 2024 Park Fete gear up.

A new Miss Escalon will be crowned on Wednesday, July 24 and the new Little Miss and Little Mr. Escalon will receive their crowns and sashes at a pageant on Thursday, July 25. Both pageants will be hosted at the Escalon Community Center, sponsored by the Escalon Lions Club.

Taking over as the new coordinator for the pageants this year is Renee Snow, with plenty of assistance coming from those that have been involved in the past. Snow said they have helped answer some questions and offer advice as she takes on the role, and serving as her co-coordinator is Emelyn Mancilla, who is the reigning Miss Inspirational from last year’s Miss Escalon pageant.

Ten hopefuls are in the running for Miss Escalon, including Saray Larios, Katherine Romero, Tessa Junqueiro, Neveah Mancilla, Claire Barkus, Chloe Fraser, Riley Ogilvie, Charlotte Shaddix, Carolina Sandoval and Natalee Martinez.

Tickets for the July 24 pageant, which includes a dinner catered by Mike’s Branding Iron, cost $25 per person and are available through 4 p.m. Friday, July 19. Contact coordinator Snow at 209-602-3241 to purchase tickets.

“It’s bringing me so much joy to be with these girls,” admitted Snow, a mom to two teenage boys. “A lot of them I have known for years, from our Outlaws (youth football and cheer) days, and to see them now … I am so thankful I am not the judge; they’re all such amazing girls.”

Representatives from Manteca Youth Focus will be on hand to judge the competition, which includes some impromptu questions, evening wear and casual wear modeling, as well as a prior interview session with a panel of judges. There are also some choreographed dance numbers being put on by the contestants.

The dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday with the pageant to follow. Outgoing Miss Escalon Aileen Aguirre will serve as emcee for the pageant and will also summarize her year in the role.

Meanwhile, there are 15 girls and four boys in the Little Miss and Little Mr. Escalon pageant, which begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 25. There is no charge to attend the ‘Little’ festivities.

Seeking the Miss Escalon title are Laikyn Sharp, Liv Sharp, Taylor Thompson, Kora Camacho, Lucy Merritt, Kinsley Tagliabue, Capri Ciccarelli, Maci Bennett, Avery Messersmith, Rylie Messersmith, Arleene Macias, Hadley Jefferson, Kelsey Merrill, Presley Merrill and Audriana Ogilvie. The Little Mr. Escalon candidates are Jordan Miller, Austin Felber, Olivar Ceja and Grayson Jefferson.

“It’s going to be a ‘red, white and blue’ theme for them and they will do a cute little dance,” Snow said of the ‘Little’ contestants.

They also have a chance to introduce themselves on stage and answer questions.

“It’s been amazing,” added Snow of the experience of coordinating the pageant and working with both the Miss Escalon and the Little Miss and Mr. hopefuls. “I just really want to celebrate them.”