Beaver Queen pageant goes virtual

In its 15 year history, the event has helped raise $157,000 for the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association's conservation activities in Durham.

Posted 7:01 p.m. May 26, 2020 — Updated 7:01 p.m. May 26, 2020

Kathy Hanrahan, Out

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DURHAM, N.C. — The 16th annual Beaver Queen Pageant is going virtual this year.

In its 15 year history, the event has helped raise $157,000 for the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association's conservation activities in Durham.

The pageant, normally held at Duke Park meadow, features contestants taking on beaver personalities and competing for the title of Beaver Queen. Contestants are judged on their "wetlands ready wear" clothing, unique talents and interviews which are conducted in their finest evening wear. This year's theme is "Beavers in the Stream."

Instead of an in-person event, the pageant will be broken up into four episodes that will air May 30 (introductions), June 6 (talent competition) June 7 (Q&A) and June 13 (the CORONAtion of the winner) at 6 p.m. each day on the Beaver Queen Pageant's website. Episodes can also be viewed on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram I-TV.

People may vote for their favorite contestants online.

The first Beaver Queen Pageant was held in April 2005 to celebrate the Duke Park neighborhood's successful attempt to stop the state Department of Transportation from removing a den of beavers living in the wetlands north of Interstate 85.