03/29/2024
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To see more pictures from Saturday’s Beast Fest, click here.

Story by Erin Smith

The 10th annual Bladenboro Beast Fest continued on Saturday under warm Carolina Blue skies. The festival kicked things off at 10 a.m. with opening ceremonies followed by the arrival of “The Beast.” The announcer for the day was WKML’s Don Chase.

There was also a 5K Run/Walk held at 8:30 a.m. Also, a Classic Car Show was conducted and there were horse drawn wagon rides through the downtown. Amusement rides and games as well as vendors provided something that was sure to please young and old alike.

Joyce Walters one of the event’s organizers said the crowd had been good all day.

Beast Fest Chairman Charles Ray Peterson deemed it a successful day.

Live entertainment took place all day on the stage and Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen 2016 attended the event with her mother, Amy White, and assisted in judging the Halloween Costume Contest.

A crew from UNC-TV has also been present in Bladenboro filming the Bladenboro Beast Festival and the preparations going into the planning of the event. The documentary will air later on UNC-TV.

The Pet Costume contest saw five entries competing for the cutest costume. First place went to Bentley owned by Kim Willoughby, second place went to Bella Claire owned by Theresa Horton, and third place went to Hannah Hester and Boo Boo.

The judges for the Pet Halloween costume contest were Virginia Midyette, Robin Hawley, and Jennifer Inman.

In the children’s costume contest, the judging was far more difficult. Each child had clearly placed a lot of thought and care in their selection of costume. Some chose costumes the reflected their playful personalities while others chose to be Superheroes so as to ward off any evil villains that might try to ruin the day.

The winner of the birth to age 2 category was Sawyer Allen who si the son of Blake Callihan and Allie Allen. He was costumed as a pirate.

The winner of the 3 to 6 age group was Miss Paisley Stocks who is the daughter of Renee Stocks. Miss Paisley, age 3, chose to portray Lucille Ball of I Love Lucy.

The winner of the 7 to 9 age group was Kaden Yarborough who chose to portray Bettlejuice. He is the son of Chris and Keri Yarborough.

The winner of the 10 to 12 year old age group was Chason Toss who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Shane Todd. He chose to be an Abbotsburg Police Officer.

The overall winner of the Children’s Halloween Costume Contest was Miss Paisley Stocks for her portrayal of Lucille Ball.

The judges for the children’s costume contest were Mayor Rufus Duckworth, Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen 2016 Catherine White and her mother, Amy White.

Also, later in the evening the Golden Platter Milton Bullock, and Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot will perform.

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