Snow is finally falling and cold winter weather is upon us, but preparations are underway for an enjoyable and exciting springtime event, the 2025 Mapleton pageants.
This coming Sunday, Feb. 23, the Mapleton Daze Committee, sponsor of the pageants, is inviting young girls and women to attend a meeting and register for the 2025 pageants. Participation is critical to this ongoing tradition.
For many years, separate pageants were held for Miss Mapleton and Junior Miss Mapleton. Then during the Mapleton Centennial celebration, the Little Miss Mapleton Pageant was started. Also during the early years, these events were held jointly with the Presque Isle Pageants.
Toward the start of the new century, the pageants separated, with all the Mapleton pageants merging together and being held here in town. A few years ago, the Mapleton Daze Committee assumed sponsorship of the pageants.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Over the years, residents have seen many gracious and caring pageant winners as they seek to represent and engage with their local communities in many different ways. They hold their positions for one year, representing the towns of Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman in special events such as appearances in the Memorial Day parade and celebration, Mapleton Daze, the Maine Potato Blossom Festival and Washburn August Festival parades.
They will compete in a similar pageant at the Maine Potato Blossom Festival to be representatives of the Maine potato industry, which will include time at the Eastern States Exposition, also called the Big E, in Springfield, Massachusetts.
These young ladies will also engage in a number of service projects to assist with Mapleton Daze and other special local events held for the benefit of the three communities.
At Sunday’s important meeting, information and any questions will be answered regarding qualifications and rules of the competitions. The meeting will start at 2 p.m. at the West Chapman Advent Christian Church (2 miles from the post office out on the West Chapman Road).
If you know someone who might be interested in competing for one of the crowns (Little Miss Mapleton, Pre-Teen Miss Mapleton, Teen Miss Mapleton, Junior Miss Mapleton, and Miss Mapleton), please pass this information onto them. If you cannot make the meeting on Feb. 23rd, please reach out to Kim Guerrette Michaud.
The pageants will be: Sunday, May 4, at 3 p.m. at Mapleton Elementary School. Tickets are $8 in advance from one of the contestants or $10 at the door. All are welcome to come out and support our local youth.
Spring Craft Fair
The Mapleton Daze Committee invites everyone to their annual Spring Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 19 at Mapleton Elementary School.
Local crafters and vendors will be there, and the Easter Bunny will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for pictures with the little ones.
Please consider bringing some school supplies so we can donate these items to the Mapleton School — pens, paper, crayons, folders, etc., are all greatly appreciated.
Terry Sandusky is the Star-Herald correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.
