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Eugene prepares for SLUG Queen contest
This is the 20th year of the city's competition, which attracts a wide variety of locals; the deadline for entry forms is Aug. 12
by Marilyn Grace Rice
Oregon Daily Emerald |
PUBLISHED ON 8/6/02 IN Undefined Section
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The 20th annual Society for the Legitimization of the Ubiquitous Gastropod Queen competition and coronation will be held Friday, Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Saturday Market Stage at 8th Street and Oak Avenue.
The SLUG Queen contestants must be age 21 or older. There are no other restrictions with regard to sex, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, race, disability or creed, according to the official entry form. The deadline to enter is Monday, Aug. 12.
"Some people enter the contest on a dare, or to embarrass their children or grandchildren, but mostly people do it to put on a whole new glamorous personality in a strange, fun, weird way," said Kim Still, first lady-in-waiting and nine-year veteran of organizing the event.
Judges grade applicants on costume, talent and a single question. The selection of the queen is at the whim of old SLUG Queens, as well as celebrity judges. Costumes have run the gamut from a duct-tape dress to a foam-rubber slug outfit. Past three-minute talent performances varied from the glamorous way to clean a toilet to an aria from "Magic Flute" with accompaniment of violins and cellos from the Eugene Symphony. Finally, and sometimes most importantly, is the question portion of the evening's 90-minute event.
"Everyone gets a different question. The questions are irreverent in tone and have to do with glamour or current events. Some people win on the strength of their answer," Still said.
In 1997, Queen Bagonda, who won on his third try as a contestant, was asked about the retirement of the cartoon cigarette mascot Joe Camel and whether the cartoon was a bad influence. He was then asked what he would endorse if he was the SLUG Queen. "My answer was I would endorse glamour -- of course -- because I'm the most glamorous thing I know," he said.
Queen Bagonda offered some advice for wannabe queens. "Pull out all the stops. Go over the top. If you think something is too outrageous, then you should probably do it for the competition," he said. "The glory never ends when you are a SLUG Queen."
Once crowned, the queen of slime then trails over the Eugene Celebration, Sept. 20 to 22. The queen also participates in the Mayor's Art Show, the Eugene Celebration parade, the parade awards ceremony, press interviews, local events throughout the year and next year's coronation. Also, the queen receives a decadent five-pound slug-shaped chocolate truffle from Fenton & Lee Confections, a sash, crown and flowers.
The reigning SLUG Queen, Queen Darcy, thinks the best thing about being queen is reigning over the Eugene Celebration.
"The SLUG Queen adds regalness and glamour to the celebration," she said. "The queen makes it an unique Eugene event."
For more information, contact Kim Still at 686-8885 or
e-mail her at kimstill@eugenesaturdaymarket.org.
Contact the online editor at marilynrice@dailyemerald.com.
