Firecracker Cuties and Royalty Contest Director, Heather Isbell-Schenek, waves during the May 24 parade in Port Clinton. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Each Independence Day, babies and toddlers, girls and boys, and men and women from all over pack into Trinity United Methodist Church dressed in their fanciest, sparkliest, red, white and blue outfits. They are competing for crowns, titles and bragging rights in the Firecracker Cuties and Royalty Contest, an annual competition that has become a Port Clinton tradition for over ten years.

The competition started as a cute kids contest, but when current pageant director, Heather Isbell-Schenek, took over eight years ago, she decided to open the pageant to the world. Today, The Firecracker Cuties and Royalty Contest is one of the only pageants in the nation that is open to anyone.

“All ages, all states and all genders can come,” Isbell-Schenek said. “We even had an international competitor who was here for the summer.”

Isbell-Schenek, who began entering pageants as a preteen, said the pageant gives everyone the chance to compete and have fun.

2024 Firecracker Elite Queen, Kinslee Bowen, is escorted through the May 24 parade in Port Clinton. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“A lot of pageants, especially for males, have a cutoff age,” she said. “I was inspired by my own life. I was cut off from pageants when I was 17. That’s not fun for anyone. It’s a disservice to the community to cut someone off because of their age.”

Isbell-Schenek was encouraged to make changes to the pageant by Firecracker Cuties Committee President, Port Clinton Mayor Mike Snider.

“Mike’s great. He’s been very supportive of our pageant and all the changes I’ve wanted to make through the years,” she said.

Isbell-Schenek first became interested in competitions while watching the Miss America pageant as a little girl at her grandmother’s house. Her sister served on the Walleye Festival Queen’s Court in 1992, and, Isbell-Schenek said, “I wanted to be like my sister.”

Her sister was the director of the 2003 Port Clinton Royalty Court, and her nieces served on the Fostoria Glass Festival Court.

“It’s a family thing,” she said. “I’ve always loved pageants, and when I was 11, my mom finally signed the papers to let me compete. I was in the Miss Ohio pageant when I was in my 20s.”

The annual Firecracker Cuties and Royalty Contest will be held on July 4. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

The 2025 Firecracker Cuties and Royalty Contest will be held on July 4 at Trinity United Methodist Church, located at 135 Adams St. in Port Clinton. Registration begins at 11 a.m., and the contest starts at noon. Registration is $20 before July 4 and $25 the day of the pageant. The competition is open to past and current winners. A Most Photogenic contest is also open to competitors. Cost is $10 per photo, and photos must be received by July 1.

Proceeds from the pageant are donated to fund the Port Clinton 4th of July fireworks show.

“All the money goes back to the city,” Isbell-Schenek said.

Applications can be picked up at Our Guest Inn, the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, Mary’s Blossom Shoppe and Ida Rupp Public Library. Applications can also be found online at the Port Clinton Area 4th of July Celebration Facebook page. The event is expected to run no longer than two hours.

Contestants under six will be judged by their outfits and personality on stage. Contestants over six will be judged on their outfits, personality on stage, and one on-stage question about themselves.

“We’re looking for positive, happy people,” Isbell-Schenek said. “We’re looking for people that love their community and have a good attitude.”

Isbell-Schenek is grateful for the opportunity to direct one of the most unique pageants in the country.

“I really love giving kids the opportunity to compete and build self-confidence,” she said.