By BRAD CAMP
bcamp@soundpublishing.com
POULSBO — For eight contestants Saturday night the Miss Viking Fest Pageant was all about the numbers. Ten years of history, five opening dance numbers, eight contestants, six judges and three crowns
Lacey Coolbaugh will represent the North Kitsap Community as Miss Viking Fest 2009. Last year’s title holder, Rachel Daniels, passed on the crown.
For Coolbaugh the evening was a mesh of activity.
“The whole evening went so fast. It was just a blur,” Coolbaugh said.
It also marked the end of over a month of preparations and the beginning of a new journey.
“I really enjoyed getting to know all the girls and look forward to representing our town in the community,” she said.
Her fondest moment of the evening was the evening gown walk with her father Brian. “It was a special moment to share with my dad, we are very close.”
All of the contestants were escorted by parents for that portion of the pageant.
Princesses Carson Smallbeck and Melissa Hemry round out the 2009 Miss Viking Fest court.
For six weeks the contestants practiced the numbers, perfecting poise and speeches. During the program, contestants tested their knowledge of Viking Fest, participated in an interview, an impromptu question and evening gown walk. For the outgoing court, the pageant is a chance to reflect on the past year. Pageant director Kari McKinsey has overseen the show for a decade. “This was a humbling year, we all felt supported and embraced by the community,” McKinsey said. “I am thankful to have such a great and hard working committee.”
This year’s theme revolved around a combination of past themes, culminating in a tribute to the committee and recognizing past winners. Six of the 10 past crowns were present at the event including the 2007 crown winner, Jasmine Campbell. She was enlisted to the show for several transitional vocal performances.
“I enjoyed seeing the past winners and seeing how these teens have grown into young adults,” McKinsey said.
Miss Viking Fest and her court represents the North Kitsap Community and Viking Fest at local events. They also act as community ambassadors while traveling around the state. Winners receive a scholarship award as well.
The new court will make its first local public appearance at the opening ceremonies for Viking Fest, which starts on May 15 at the Poulsbo Waterfront and continues through May 17.
The festival is a celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day. More than 40,000 people are expected to visit the event in Poulsbo. All three winners will be at the lutefisk eating contest, participating in the annual rite of passage for the new court.
