Buzz
For centuries, communities have chosen a young woman to serve as the 'queen' of their seasonal celebrations. This practice, such as selecting a May Day Queen, eventually transformed into the modern beauty pageants we know today. By the mid-1900s, both businesses and local groups recognized the significant marketing potential of organizing competitions where women vied for the honor of representing their primary product or export, ranging from sausage to doughnuts. Here are a few notable examples.
1. Zion Meat Company's Sausage Queen
In 1955, Geene Courtney was crowned Sausage Queen during the Zion Meat Company's National Hot Dog Week. Miss Courtney, who once appeared as a swimsuit model in a Three Stooges short, was known for her strong Catholic faith, which led her to decline a request to pose nude for Salvador Dalí. After all, maintaining one's dignity is essential.
2. Jackson, Ohio's Apple Festival Queen
While the names of previous Apple Festival Queens are not well-documented in the festival’s online history, each queen has been part of a cherished tradition in Jackson, Ohio, dating back to 1937 (with a pause during WWII). The festival continues to celebrate both delicious apples and its queens to this day.
3. National Peanut Festival's Peanut Queen
The Alabama National Peanut Festival was established in 1938, with George Washington Carver as its inaugural keynote speaker. Dot McArthur, the 1939 Peanut Queen, famously donned a peanut-themed swimsuit and awarded a prize to a fortunate attendee.
4. Dark Shadows's Miss American Vampire
Dark Shadows, a peculiar TV soap opera from the 1960s and '70s, revolved around Barnabas Collins, a vampire who had lived for centuries. As part of a promotional event, a Miss American Vampire pageant was organized. Christine Domaniecki from Belleville, New Jersey, won the regional title and was crowned by Jonathan Frid, the actor who played Barnabas. The national winner, chosen by judges including Regis Philbin, was Sacheen Littlefeather, who later gained fame as the Native American activist who declined an Oscar on Marlon Brando's behalf.
5. Circleville, Ohio's Pumpkin Queen
The Circleville Ohio Pumpkin Show started in 1903 when the town’s mayor adorned his office with jack-o-lanterns and corn shucks. Over the years, the event has expanded significantly, and a Pumpkin Queen has been crowned annually since 1933, except during the WWII years.
6. Muller Brothers Automotive's Miss Polish Job
Founded in 1920, Muller Brothers Automotive on Sunset Boulevard was a sprawling four-acre haven for car enthusiasts. This service station aimed to meet every automotive need imaginable. When LIFE Magazine covered the Mullers' 3 millionth car wash, the facility’s offerings were endless—car sales, tire replacements, lubrication services, fuel, car washes, and even premium polish jobs. Miss Polish Job was among the many beauty queens the Mullers celebrated, alongside Miss Infra-Red Paint Job, Miss Auto Accessory, and Miss Lube Rack.
7. National Uranium Queen
Very little is known about the Uranium Queens and their radioactive accomplishments, though we certainly hope these achievements are unrelated to excessive exposure or internal radiation. Fortunately, uranium cannot be absorbed through the skin.
8. National Donut Queen
In 1951, Kris Nodland triumphed over 250 contestants nationwide to earn the title of Donut Queen. She appeared alongside the Gingerbread Donut Boy to kick off the 14th Annual National Donut Week, held from April 7-14, 1951. National Donut Day remains a celebrated tradition in America, with origins tracing back to pre-WWII when women served donuts and coffee to injured soldiers.
9. The Wool Bureau's Miss Sweater Girl
The Miss Sweater Girl competition, organized by the Wool Bureau and the Knitted Outerwear Foundation, crowned Jeanne Davis from Alabama as the 1952 Sweater Girl. Alongside her, a junior miss was also honored, and five years later, the event introduced Mr. Sweater (“The Man We’d Most Like To Buy A Sweater For”) to the lineup. Without this addition, the contest might have focused solely on curves and bullet bras, which didn’t align with the sponsors’ family-friendly image.
10. International Posture Queen
During the 1950s, chiropractors sought to gain recognition for their field by showcasing women with impeccable spinal alignment. Contestants vying for the Posture Queen title stood on scales, one under each foot, aiming for equal weight distribution to demonstrate perfect posture. Diane Stopky, celebrated for her flawless balance, was crowned the 1957 International Posture Queen. Her posture was truly unmatched!
This story has been updated from its original version.
