If you’re one of those people who likes to say, “I was there” for the first of what turns into a really cool annual event, you’ll want to clear your schedule for Friday.
Because you are not going to want to miss the first-ever Mr. Concord Pageant at the Grappone Conference Center.
“I was home last winter recovering from a rotator cuff surgery, and I kept thinking of ways the Concord Contemporary Club could raise some funds and it just came upon me,” said Mary McGahan, president of the club.
So eight worthy candidates will compete later this week for the distinct title of (quotation fingers) top man in the city. And it’s also a fundraiser for the Crisis Center of Central N.H., put on by the Concord Contemporary Club, so why wouldn’t you want to go?
And why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?
“Pretty much everyone we approached agreed to do it. We chose people we thought would be well known in the community and support the idea behind it,” McGahan said. “We already have a list started for next year.”
Now you’re probably curious about how this will work? Will there be a swimsuit competition? It is not a requirement, although one contestant did ask if they could wear it for the talent show.
“This, I think, is where the fun will happen,” McGahan said.
Yep, each contestant will unveil a talent for the audience, but apparently those are under top secret lock down, so we can’t really tell you what will be happening. We just encourage you to use your imagination.
“They decided among themselves that they didn’t want each other to know,” McGahan said.
Okay, we understand, you want to know who these eight gentlemen are – so without further ado:
Jim Bouley – Mayor of Concord
Tim Sink – President, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
Tom Raffio – President & CEO, Northeast Delta Dental
Rich Spaulding – N.H. State Policeman (ret.)
Chris Brown – President, N.H. Distributors
John (JT) Thomas – Concord Police Lieutenant
John Cimikowski – Owner, Cimo’s South End Deli
Bob Tewksbury – Red Sox sports psychology coach and former MLB pitcher.
The group will also be participating in a question and answer session with a panel of judges, featuring none other than the Monitor’s Allie Morris. We knew she was a great reporter, but had no idea she moonlights as a pageant judge. She will be joined by Carolyn Carter, 2016 Miss New Hampshire, and Steve Duprey, president of The Duprey Companies. Adam Sexton of WMUR will emcee the event, and Tim Patoine will provide the music for the evening.
But before all the talents are revealed and questions answered, the contestants will be introduced one by one and given a chance to smooze with the audience – and the judges.
“One judge is open for bribes and whatever bribes they get, will go to the Crisis Center,” McGahan said.
And like we said before, this is a fundraiser put on by the Concord Contemporary Club, part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, to help bring funds and awareness to the Crisis Center of Central N.H. and its “efforts to stem human trafficking and domestic violence.”
“People think it’s somewhere else, but it’s right here in our neighborhoods,” McGahan said.
Tickets for Friday evening are $50, and include what will surely be an unforgettable event, as well as plenty of hors d’oeuvres, but it is a cash bar, so don’t leave all your money at home.
There will be a silent auction with some very nice things to bid on, as well as a wine raffle. Both the Concord Contemporary Club and the Crisis Center of Central N.H. will have tables with lots of information.
There will also be a talk given from a representative of the Crisis Center of Central N.H.
The Concord Contemporary Club has been in Concord since the early 1980s, working with many worthy causes and organizations, and meets on the first Tuesday of the month at Granite Ledges at 6 p.m. The next meeting is in January.
A social hour will begin at 6 p.m., and expect the program to be going around 6:45. Tickets may be purchased at Bravo Boutique, 38 N. Main St., and at the door – just give them a call to let them know if you plan on coming, so there’s more than enough food for everyone. And tickets at the door can only be purchased using cash or check.
For more information, call McGahan at 731-6991 or Tina Smith at 491-4240.
Now we were told that there will be two runners up, but there’s only going to be one Mr. Concord.
Who will it be? You’ll just have to go and see for yourself.
