While watching the first season of Andy Griffith last week episode 16, The Beauty Contest reminded me of the time I was part of one in a small town.
As a member of the Lions Club in Augusta, Wisconsin I was asked to lead the contest that determined which boy and girl wore the crown as "Mr. Bean" and "Miss Beanette" during the annual Bean and Bacon Days which was the town's Fourth of July celebration.
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| Mr. Bean and Miss Beanette photo - Eau Claire Leader-Telegram 2018 |
Contestants provided a photo to enter and it was placed in front of an empty bean can in the lobby of the Peoples State Bank in downtown Augusta. The winner was the boy or girl with the most coins in their can at the end of election week.
I expected it to be fun and light-hearted. Count me surprised as moms and grandmas worked to make sure their kid got the most in their can. Some folks put bills in the can which, by rule didn't count.
Others misrepresented their home address to make their child eligible.
The winners joined Miss Augusta on the city float in parades held by other communities for the rest of the summer.
If Sheriff Andy Taylor was on hand I'm sure we would have crowned the right boy and girl so they could take the ride of honor at the head of the parade.
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