Download Pageant and Talent Contest Entry Form
RISON – Rison Shine has announced the return of the Rison BBQ Cook Off and Pageant, set for Saturday, April 6 in Downtown Rison.
Both events were formerly part of Rison in the Fall before interest and participation waned.
“We know that many people wanted to see these events return, and from talking to past participants, we decided to bring them back in the Spring to serve as a fundraiser for the fall festival and other Rison Shine projects,” said Douglas Boultinghouse, Rison in the Fall Director and Rison Shine Secretary/Treasurer.
The Rison BBQ Cook Off will benefit the Rison in the Fall Festival, and the Rison Shine Pageant will benefit Rison Shine Community Development, Inc. in general.
BBQ Cook Off
Participation in the BBQ Cook Off will determine the prize pay-out. There will be a $50 entry fee per category – ribs, chicken or cooker’s choice.
There will also be a People’s Choice award determined by votes of those who purchase a $10 ticket.
All cook-off contestants are invited to participate in the People’s Choice Contest. There is no cost to enter other than bring enough barbecue to provide samples to the public who will be judging the contest. The sample sizes will be left to the discretion of each cooker.
Half the money collected from the People’s Choice fees will go to the single cooker who receives the most votes from the participating members of the public.
A portion of each entry fee, in addition to half of the People’s Choice ticket sales, will go towards the Rison in the Fall Festival fund.
The event will be held downtown on Main Street.
For questions regarding the BBQ Cook Off, contact Douglas Boultinghouse at (870) 510-2433, Rison Shine President Celeste Beatty at (501) 909-9441, Rison Shine Vice President Kristy Strother at (870) 550-0071, or Roy Phillips at (870) 461-0581.
You may also message Rison Shine on Facebook.
Rison Shine Pageant
The Rison Shine Pageant will take place in FBT Community Park (Pocket Park) on Main Street, under the direction of Selena McDougald, a former judge of the Rison in the Fall pageant.
There will be a $45 entry fee per contestant, plus a $10 entry fee for the photogenic category.
The attire is casual/spring.
Categories are as follows:
- Baby Miss Rison Shine (0 to 6 months).
- Baby Mr. Rison Shine (0 to 6 months).
- Tiny Miss Rison Shine (6 to 12 months).
- Tiny Mr. Rison Shine (6 to 12 months).
- Toddler Miss Rison Shine (1 to 3 years).
- Toddler Mr. Rison Shine (2 to 3 years).
- Little Miss Rison Shine (4 to 7 years).
- Little Mr. Rison Shine (4 to 7 years).
- Pre-Teen Miss Rison Shine (8 to 12 years).
- Teen Miss Rison Shine (13 to 15 years).
- Miss Rison Shine (16 to 21 years).
- Ms./Mrs. Rison Shine (21 and up).
- Rison Shine Talent (all ages).
- Most Photogenic (all ages).
- People’s Choice (all ages).
A winner and two runner ups will be awarded for all categories, with the exception of Most Photogenic and People’s Choice. One winner will be awarded in those two categories.
The winner of the Miss Rison Shine title will also have the opportunity to emcee at the Rison in the Fall Festival’s concert stage.
The winner of the Rison Shine Talent category will also have the opportunity to showcase their talent at the Rison in the Fall Festival on stage.
The deadline to enter is Friday, March 29.
For questions regarding the pageant, contact Selena McDougald at (870) 820-5138.
Schedule and Entry Forms
Entry forms for both the BBQ Cook Off and Pageant are available online at the links above and also on ClevelandCountyHerald.com
Forms can also be picked up at the Herald office at 215 Main Street in Rison.
BBQ Cook Off participants can arrive and begin set-up with inspection as early as 6 a.m. Cooking will begin at 9 a.m.
Chicken will be due at 11 a.m., Ribs at 12 p.m., and Cooker’s Choice at 1 p.m.
BBQ People’s Choice voting will run simultaneously with votes due by 2 p.m.
The Rison Shine Pageant and Talent Contest will kick off at 1 p.m.
Winners of the BBQ Cook Off will be announced at the conclusion of the pageant and talent contest.