Firecracker contest returns to 4th celebrations

For decades the community in Webster County enjoyed the pageantry and friendly competition of the Little Miss and Mister Firecracker contest. For years, the parade festivities on the 4th of July have been without the fan-favorite contest, which highlights the youth of Webster County’s patriotism.

This year, the contest is back. The Little Miss and Mister Firecracker contest will take place directly before the parade on Thursday, July 4 on the courthouse stage, on the west side of the square.

There will be three categories for this year’s contest, newborn-age 2, age 3-5, and age 6-10. Newborn-age 2 contestants will be judged on their outfit, props and brief interview with their parent/guardian. Age 3-5 and age 6-10 will be judged on outfit, interview as well as a required talent demonstration.

Talents are limited to 60 seconds per contestant and can range from singing, dancing, rope tricks, hula-hooping and more. Contestants will only be accepted on a first come, first serve basis and are limited to 12 contestants per age division.

There will be three judges, whom are past winners of the contest and will be announced the day of the event. These judges are looking for creativity, spunk and sass!

Registration is now available now by completing this FORM. Registration is $50 per child, with all moneys donated directly to Safe Harbor Victim Assistance Program’s land fund to build a domestic violence shelter. Once the form is completed, an event organizer will reach out to confirm their spot in the contest. The form will close once all spots are filled.

Those with talents will be asked to provide any music/accompaniment they will be using to event organizers upon finalizing registration.

Contestants will arrive at the square by 8 a.m. to pay registration fee and prepare for the competition. The first age group will take the stage at 8:15 a.m. The contest will be complete by 9:40 a.m., just in time for the parade.

Prizes for the winning Mister and Miss from each age category will receive a gift basket from Sully Loves Sugar and Planet Gumball, valued at over $250 per basket. It will also include fishing lures donated by Bubba Red's Bait Shop on the square and an assortment of kid-friendly fireworks. The winning 6-10 year olds will also be crowned by former Little Miss and Mister Firecrackers Brooke Oberbeck (Hunt) and Noah Bryce. Tiaras and crowns are courtesy of the Marshfield Mail. 

For more information, contact Shelby Atkison at 417-848-5189. Special thanks goes out to Rachel Andrews, Nicholas Inman and Andy Moore for allowing this contest to go on!