| October 31, 2006 |
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Muskrat Lovely
Once  a year along Maryland's Eastern Shore, a decades-old competition pits locals against each other in feats of fishing, trapping, log sawing, muskrat skinning—and beauty pageant charm. Yes, that's right. Each year, one of Maryland's prettiest beats out seven of her neighbors to don the "Miss Outdoors" tiara at the National Outdoors Show. She beams munificently at the crowd, then gracefully yields the stage to a slew of seasoned hunters who proceed to strip large rodents from their pelts at rapid-fire speeds. A new documentary exploring and celebrating this oddball pairing airs today on PBS's Independent Lens. Its companion site includes interviews with participants and a startling selection of "rat" recipes. The brief slideshow of other "quirky pageants" reminds us that Miss Outdoors isn't the only beauty queen to go unheralded in the larger world. Each year, Miss Meat Pie, Miss Hell Hole Swamp, and Miss Penitentiary also clasp their bouquets and wave to the adoring crowds. (in Fashion and Beauty) |
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