2010 WEE POPS CROWNED

MARION, OH – Celia Jones and Carson Stroupe were named Miss and Mr. Wee Pop 2010 during competition held Saturday morning at Grant Middle School. Jones is the 2½-year old daughter of Ashleigh Jones. Stroupe is 35-months old and also captured the Overall award in Costumes. He is the son of Matt and Melissa Stroupe.

The 2010 Wee Pops will be featured on the Main Stage of the Marion Popcorn Festival. They will also ride in the Festival’s Orville Redenbacher Parade, and represent the Marion Popcorn Festival at various parades and events throughout the state.

First runner-up to Miss Wee Pop was Savannah Cale Queen. She is the 4-year old daughter of John and Heather Queen.

Three-year old Alexander Thompson garnered the first runner-up position to Mr. Wee Pop. He is the son of Bryan and Ashley Thompson.

Categories for Formal Wear, Costume with a popcorn theme and Swimwear with a popcorn theme were divided into three age groups: two years, three years, and four/five years. The winners of these divisions, order of age, were:
· Formal Wear: Celia Jones, Kylie Klaiber, Savannah Cale Queen
overall: Olivia Grace Willis
· Costumes: Celia Jones, Thaliah Sanchez, Jacqueline Chace Dawson
overall: Carson Stroupe
· Swimwear: Celia Jones, Kylie Klaiber, Savannah Cale Queen
overall: Emma Davis

Receiving honorable mention category awards were: Aryian Collins, Braelyn Nikole Miller, Aeris Marshae Caudill, Mackenzie Childers, Alana Jones, Jayden Gates, Kaylinn Michelle Gilbert, Adrian Starcher, Preston Price, Shaylee Rose, Billy Ray Wilcox II, Addisen Throckmorton, Hunter Vitaro, Brenda Scott, Nicole Robinson, Mikalah Collins, Aviona Redmon, Kamberlyn Pelletier-Harris, Marin Brenlee Curry, Kyson Bailey, Brooklynn Jean Klein, Cloie Hines, Lindsey Twigg, AnneMarie Lynn Covey, Emmie Sharp, and Autumn Marie Wilcox.

A separate photogenic contest was held in conjunction with the main pageant, and the results of this event had no bearing on the outcome of the Wee Pop Pageant. Contestants were allowed to enter one or both events. Marin Brenlee Curry took overall honors as Most Photogenic, with Adrian Starcher winning the two-year old division, Addisen Throckmorton winning the three-year old division, and Savannah Cale Queen winning the four/five-year old division.

Businesses responsible for sponsoring the event and many of the Little Wee Pop gifts and awards were: Blue Fusion Entertainment, Candel’s Renovations, Dolfin Music Service, Greenwood Floor Center, Ideal Printing Services, Marion Auto Sales, and Seismic Drilling. Other sponsors included: Burger King, Carol Ault Dance Factory, Conways, The Columbus Zoo, Custom Creations, Domino’s, El Campesino, Georgia Mills Carpet, Godfathers, Goldrush Jewelers, Hughes Studio, Jerzee, L & P Cake, Marion Flower Shop, McDonalds, Precision Auto, PaPa Johns, PaPa Murphy’s, Pizza Hut, Ralphies, Ready-To-Rent, Regal Cinemas, Starbucks, Tubby’s Pizza, Vibes Tanning & Hair Spa, Wal-Mart, and Wyandot Snack Foods.

“There were 35 entries into the competition,” said Linda Candel, chairman of the event, “and the judges had to make some hard decisions. They would have all made wonderful Wee Pops.”

Candel also gave credit to the contestants’ families, “It’s wonderful to see the dedication and creativity the parents and grandparents put into these costumes. A large part of the judging is ‘Creative Use of Popcorn’ in the costume and swimwear categories. The outfits and props are amazing.”

LITTLE WEE POP
PRINCE AND PRINCESS NAMED

 MARION, OH – Twenty-four contestants vied for the title of Marion Popcorn Festival’s 2010 Little Wee Pop Prince and Princess at Marion Harding High School Saturday morning.  Little Wee Pop is designed for children aged 6 – 23 months.   

The 2010 Prince is Layne Gilbert Curry, who also captured the Overall Photogenic Award.  He is the 10½-month old son of Craig and Marianne Curry.   

The 2010 Princess is Harleigh Kennedy who is the 15-month old daughter of Andrew and Kati Kennedy.  She also won the Overall Formalwear award. 

Receiving Runner-Up awards were Ryun Scott Eager for prince and Amyah Revere for princess.  Eager is the 19-month old son of Jessica Eager, and 23-month old Revere is the daughter of Quiana and Mark Revere. 

The 2010 Little Wee Pops will be featured on the Main Stage of the Marion Popcorn Festival.  They will also ride in the Festival’s Orville Redenbacher Parade, and represent the Marion Popcorn Festival at various parades and events throughout the state. 

Receiving honorable mention awards were:  David Carl Hook III, Harper Rogers, Kyleigh Davis, Samantha Jo Newell, Lilly Miller, Cohen Staub, Ella Nicole Weslee Boyd, Alexis Hannah Stiger, Charlee Coy, Kalib Pelletier-Harris, Dawson Simmon, Breeona Davis, K’lynne Clifton, Emma Scott, Leah Kay Bledsoe, Madison Snyder, Peyton Simpkins, Olivia Graham, Jenna Manley, and Aryonna Dunn. 

Businesses responsible for sponsoring the event and many of the Little Wee Pop gifts and awards were:  Blue Fusion Entertainment, Candel’s Renovations, Dolfin Music Service, Greenwood Floor Center, Ideal Printing Services, Marion Auto Sales, and Seismic Drilling.  Other sponsors included:  Burger King, Carol Ault Dance Factory, Conways, The Columbus Zoo, Custom Creations, Domino’s, El Campesino, Georgia Mills Carpet, Godfathers, Goldrush Jewelers, Hughes Studio, Jerzee, L & P Cake, Marion Flower Shop, McDonalds, Precision Auto, PaPa Johns, PaPa Murphy’s, Pizza Hut, Ralphies, Ready-To-Rent, Regal Cinemas, Starbucks, Tubby’s Pizza, Vibes Tanning & Hair Spa, Wal-Mart, and Wyandot Snack Foods.