Community Corner
Here He Comes: Mr. Fountain Valley
Five local dignitaries will battle it out next month to see who wears the crown--and five local charities will all win.
If you've never seen a grown man in a Speedo, now's your chance.
Wait, don't leave! It's for charity.
Five prominent Fountain Valley gentlemen, each raising money for a local charity, will compete May 18 in the inaugural Mr. Fountain Valley Pageant.
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"It's just like any female pageant, but a comedy knockoff version," said Jeanne Hexem-Thomas, president of the Fountain Valley Kiwanis Club and the architect of the contest. Hexem-Thomas served as emcee for a similar event in Huntington Beach last year, and realized it might be even more successful in Fountain Valley.
"I thought, 'How cool is it that Fountain Valley has some high-profile males that we could choose from, representing five different organizations and make money for all those organizations at one time?'" she said.
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The contestants are as diverse as they are brave. Fountain Valley School District Superintendent Mark Ecker is representing the Fountain Valley Educational Foundation; Tim Davis of the City of Fountain Valley is representing the Kiwanis Club; Frank McDowell of Star Real Estate is representing Collette's Children's Home; Dave Osborn of Fountain Bowl is representing the Kelly Osborn Memorial Scholarship Fund; and David Truong of Mimi's Jewelry is representing the Fountain Valley Community Foundation.
The pageant's winner will be decided, at least in part, during the two months leading up to the event, during which the contestants drum up support for themselves in the form of donations and sponsorships. As for the pageant itself, which counts for 20 percent, each man will compete in talent, question and answer, and, yes, swimsuit.
"I had one contestant go to the Mr. Huntington Beach pageant, and he was traumatized by the time he left," Hexem-Thomas said. "He said, 'If I would've seen this, I wouldn't have volunteered.' "
All the contestants will put their dancing talents on full display right from the get-go, as the show will open with a rousing choreographed opening number. The contestants won't be revealing their individual talents until the night of the show, but Hexem-Thomas said those in attendance are sure to be surprised--and impressed.
"Some of these guys have some serious talent and some great rhythm, and you'd never know it," she said. "And they're hilarious. Everyone is going to leave there remembering it, and probably come back next year. But the money raised that night is going to be the most significant thing. And it's all for fun. We do so many different events in this community, but this is going to be the most hilarious, crazy, fun-filled night ever."
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