Organisers have two ‘back up’ venues for child beauty pageant
Texas-based Universal Royalty said more than 50 youngsters — many of who are babies and toddlers — had been signed up to take part in their first-ever Irish pageant next week.
But boss Annette Hill admitted she has taken the added precaution of booking two other reserve venues as a back-up plan, should her first choice hotel fall through for the scheduled contest next Saturday, Sep 21.
Sourcing a venue for the glitzy €20,000 pageant proved a headache for Ms Hill, who revealed she was turned down by 28 hoteliers across the country.
It’s understood that the hotel chiefs who snubbed the event were concerned their reputations would be tarnished and that their customers may snub them if they hosted a children’s beauty contest.
But Ms Hill — who is due to appear on The Late Late Show next Friday, the day before the pageant takes place at a secret venue — said yesterday she was certain there would be no need for her to implement her back-up plan.
She said: “I’ve no reason to think that the hotel where the pageant’s taking place will pull out, but I’ve got two other venues reserved just in case.
“I can’t reveal where it’s going to take place yet, but I’ve just been talking to the people at the hotel and they’re really excited about it. And they’re going to make a lot of money out of it. All their rooms are booked out, so it’s great business.
“I already know this is going to be a big success and I certainly intend to make it an annual event.
“We’re going to have over 50 contestants, including some coming in from the UK and Australia. So that’s great for our first ever Ireland pageant.”
Ms Hill is due to appear on the Late Late, alongside US starlet Eden Wood, 8, and her mother, Mickie Wood.
Eden is travelling to Ireland with the billing of the ‘star attraction’ of the pageant.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
