Real Squeal Pageant to Remember Reese Hughes
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The annual Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival Pageant will honor the late Reese Hughes, as contestants collect teddy bears to donate to children facing abuse or neglect.
This year’s pageant has a total of 117 girls, who are each vying for a chance to represent the community at the upcoming Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival. Yet, this year, the girls are working to support their community more than ever, as they honor the life of 4 year-old Reese Hughes, who tragically died earlier this year. “Reese was an angel on earth – full of sass, sparkle, and a love for all things pink. Though her time was short, her impact lives on,” Pageant Director Leslie Harrell emphasized. “To honor her legacy, we are collecting new teddy bears for children facing abuse or neglect. This mission, inspired by Kada’s Promise, brings hope and comfort to those who need it most. The bears will be collected at the pageant, where each stuffed friend donated helps carry forward Reese’s spirit of kindness and love.”
Each teddy bear that is donated must be new and at least 12 inches tall. The participant in each age group who brings the most new teddy bears will receive a special crown in Reese’s memory. Attendees or community members may drop the bears off between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at Southeastern Technical College in Vidalia on Saturday, August 16.
The pageant will kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, as 73 girls, ages 0-9, face off for their chance to represent the community. A total of 45 girls, ages 10 years-old and older, will hit the stage at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 16.
