It is called Miss Plus Belize Pageant – and it's for large ladies only. On Saturday night, 7 contestants from across the city will be vying for the title. Organizers say it's not promoting obesity – but instead advocating for big boned women to love and appreciate who they are. 7news got up close with the ladies and here's a glimpses.
Monica Bodden Reporting
You've just met the 7 contestants vying for the Miss Plus Belize Pageant. Normally, beauty pageants are not usually associated with rolls of flab or participants with thunderous thighs. But this is no ordinary beauty pageant - these girls are comfortable within their own skin and are highlighting their beauty from inside out. Their message is simple, they are showing that there is no difference between skinny and fat and no one should determine that only skinny girls are beautiful.
Lauren Burgess - Pageant Organizer
"This pageant is not just a pageant to say that we are just having a pageant. It's a pageant for the participants to be empowered, enlightened, encouraged and to build their self esteem and self confidence. There are different women, different size and different class. There are skinny, skinnier and skinniest women. Well you also have fluffy, fluffier and fluffiest that are just as good."
And apart from the pageant being bigger and better this year, the proceeds of this pageant will be going towards a charitable cause.
Lauren Burgess
"Saturday night we will have the usual stuff with an introductory dance, display of wonderful talents, evening wear competition - which is the one that everyone is waiting to see. What kind of dress will she wear? Does the dress have crinoline? Does the dress have frills? You can come out and see exactly what is happening and we will have entertainment in between. The New Generation dancer, Sunshine and Marilyn Hanson that will sing and dance too."
The pageant is on Saturday night at the Bliss and seats are 20 dollars across the board.
Lauren Burgess
"8;00 p. m sharp. As the clock hits 8:00 I will come out on the stage and start announcing that the show will begin. It is on Saturday night, April 27th at 8:00 p.m sharp. The tickets are $20 per seat, at the top or at the bottom. Come out and enjoy yourselves. It will be a wonderful show. In my own words it is going to be a 'Puntariffic' show."
Proceeds from the pageant will be donated to a Charity foundation.
