Kids & Family

Ocean City Seeks Entries for Mr. Mature America Pageant

Ocean City is billing the charity event as the first of its kind.

Attention men 60 years of age and older: Finally there is a pageant just for you! One that celebrates the experience, relevance and talents of “mature men.” The first pageant of its kind to be held in the United States (or the pageant organizers at least couldn't find any reference to such a pageant through a Google search).

The inaugural Mr. Mature America Pageant is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, 2014, at the historic Ocean City Music Pier, an appropriate venue for such a landmark event. Four popular pageants are already held at the Music Pier: Miss New Jersey, Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Ocean City ... And we must not forget Miss Night In Venice and the Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant (or Ocean City High School's ever-popular Mr. OCHS contest).

The format of Mr. Mature America will be a traditional one. There will be a rousing opening number followed by each contestant introducing himself sporting a classic, old-time bathing suit. A talent, poise and question session will follow.

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Instead of a pre-pageant interview, all contestants will take the microphone and discuss the topic “I Remember When,” expressing their experiences on how it felt to grow up in their particular era. These talks will aspire to be humorous, nostalgic and informative.

The pageant format will welcome the talents of singers, instrumentalists, hobbyists, storytellers, whatever, as long as it is in the bounds of propriety for this family resort. There will be a number of hilarious group routines and special guests.

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At the same time, the pageant is designed to emphasize the contributions of senior citizens, many of whom are still working and retirees who constitute a huge volunteer resource for local organizations including the city.

You will hear what it was like to grow up before World War ll during the Great Depression and how neighborhood folks helped each other. This was a time when ice cream cones were five cents a dip and you could buy chocolate candy for a penny. You will hear from more contemporary seniors and their opinions of life in these millisecond times.

The event will be a unique evening full of relevance, nostalgia and laughter. Admission will be $10 with proceeds benefitting the Ocean City Food Cupboard and the Philippine Relief Fund.

Are you a Male 60 or older and willing to entertain and educate a friendly audience? Then the Mr. Mature America Pageant Wants You! It’s free to enter with prizes for winners and T-Shirts for all contestants. To be a contestant in this historic pageant and perhaps become the world’s first Mr. Mature America, call 609-525-9300 during working hours, in the evening 609-364-4010 or email msoifer@hotmail.com.

— News release from the Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer


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