The Carthage Missouri Chamber of Commerce issued an apology and scrapped a new way of choosing the winner of the annual Maple Leaf Festival Queen Contest following a social media uproar.
In the past, queens have been chosen through interviews and talent.
Under the changes that were put into effect before the change of heart, the winning contestant would be the one who could sell the most tickets to a 50/50 raffle drawing.
That did not sit well with Carthage residents who quickly expressed their displeasure on social media.
The Chamber issued the following message on its Facebook page this morning:
We recognize our choice to adopt an old format in the Maple Leaf Festival® Royalty selection process was not popular, and we sincerely apologize.After an outpouring of responses, we will adjust the format and return to what the community is accustomed to. We look forward to your support of the Royalty contest and ask you to submit your applications by Friday, September 29, 2023, at 5 p.m. This new form may be found on our website at www.carthagechamber.com. We appreciate all of your support and we will see you at all of the Maple Leaf Festival® activities. Feel free to call us anytime at 417-358-2373.
(Note: While it has been a long time since I covered a Maple Leaf Queen Pageant in person, I don't remember anyone ever having to sell tickets to earn the crown, so why is it referred to as an "old format" in the Chamber message?)
4 comments:
In the 1970s the queen was chosen by a penny a vote. Didn’t work well
Hold my beer and watch this!
My vote goes to the most elaborate drag queen just to watch you conservative do-gooders soil yourselves!
A Maple Leaf Drag Queen contest would bring much needed local and national recognition to an otherwise, drab and uninspired populace. The financial rewards alone would spark the flat economy. I say go for it.
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