Mrs. Washington pageant set for Saturday

MOSES LAKE - Eight contestants will appear in the 2011 Mrs. Washington pageant on Saturday.

It is the preliminary competition to the Mrs. America and Mrs. World pageants.

The idea of a pageant for the contemporary married woman was brought to life by television producer David Marmel in 1977.

This year, the eight contestants compete for the chance to represent Washington state at the Mrs. America pageant, which airs on TV in May.

The 2011 contestants include Mrs. Moses Lake Tiffany Carvo, Mrs. Vancouver Yolanda Frazier, Mrs. Seattle Tamara DePorter, Mrs. Thurston County Dionne Tarter, Mrs. Pacific Northwest Lisa Bluhm, Mrs. Federal Way Lily Ilnitsky, Mrs. King County Derozette Banks and Mrs. Emerald City Anna Hiatt.

"People show up to root on the contestant from their city," says pageant director and former Mrs. Washington Pam Curnel. "We have a local girl, Tiffany Carvo, and there's always a good crowd for the hometown girl."

The event is at 3 p.m. in the Moses Lake High School Theater, located at 800 E. Sharon Way in Moses Lake.

Tickets are $15 for general seating and $10 for students and seniors.

Curnel says this year's pageant is smaller than in previous years, which generally had 20 to 30 contestants.

"We are also filming for a reality TV show," said Curnel. "We're going to be doing a behind-the-scenes, and that will be televised in May as well and be seen throughout the whole state of Washington."

Special ambassadors Little Miss Moses Lake Jazmyn Wentland, Mini Miss Moses Lake" Harley Hamilton and Petite Miss Moses Lake Cheyanne Cole will be at Saturday's event joined by Ms. Washington Senior Anita Young.

"People come for the entertainment, piano players, dancers ... Just a little bit of everything," said Curnel. "One of the students here at the high school made a huge floral arrangement and there will be a raffle with proceeds going to benefit the Moses Lake Food Bank. We're always trying to do something to give back to the community."

The winner of the pageant will be flown to West Virginia in two weeks for another round of competition.

For more information, visit www.mrswashingtonpageant.org.