Augusta Bean & Bacon Days Needs Its Mr. Bean & Miss Beanette!
five-day annual event looks to spread some small-town joy and crown Mr. Bean & Miss Beanette
Augusta will celebrate its 49th annual Bean & Bacon Days with five days of festivities – including the popular Bean Wrestling and Grand Parade events – July 1-6. The small-town favorite offers plenty of activities geared toward and open to families, including a pageant and contest for youths.
While the Augusta Royalty Pageant typically crowns high school-aged youths celebrating civic pride and earning scholarship funds, the Mr. Bean & Miss Beanette Contest is reserved for littles ages 4-6.
“This fun-filled and lighthearted competition is open to young children who will charm the audience with their adorable outfits and personalities,” the Bean & Bacon Days website reads. “Expect smiles, giggles, and maybe even a little bean-themed flair!”
Jeanine Nugent, marketing coordinator for the Augusta Lions Club, said participants will be asked simple questions during the pageant, including what they enjoy about Bean & Bacon Days. The winners will earn a seat on the Augusta Royalty float.
The Mr. Bean & Miss Beanette Contest will be held on Thursday, July 3, at 3pm in the Augusta School District Auditorium – and is free for kids ages 12 and under – with the Lion’s Grand Parade marching through downtown Augusta on Sunday, July 6.
“We’ve tried really hard to make this a fun event for families where you don’t have to break out your checkbook for every little thing,” Nugent said. “We want it to be fun for families, and we like (offering a variety of activities) for kids where most things are free.”
"I think the thing I like most (about Bean & Bacon Days) is, it literally highlights everything that's good about Augusta being a small town."
JEANINE NUGENT
AUGUSTA LIONS CLUB MARKETING COORDINATOR
On Saturday, July 5, a special roundup of kid-centered activities will also be held at the Lions Field: an assortment of inflatables to play on, face painting, a petting zoo with Outlet Farms, the sawdust pile treasure hunt, and more. Plenty of food, sports and recreational tournaments, live music, fireworks, and other attractions will also be offered during the five-day event.
“I think the thing I like most (about Bean & Bacon Days) is, it literally highlights everything that’s good about Augusta being a small town,” Nugent, whose family has lived in Augusta for over five generations, said. “We highlight the fact we’re a small town; We’re not trying to be a big town. We’re celebrating the simple, fun things.”
There will be plenty to enjoy during this year's Bean & Bacon Days no matter your age, but littles will have their moment to shine during the Mr. Bean & Miss Beanette Contest. To sign up as a contestant, call organizer Isabel Borchardt at (715) 313-4056.
View this year's Bean & Bacon Days – slated for July 1-6 – event schedule online at www.beanandbacondays.com.
