22 Strange Beauty Pageant Contests That Luckily No Longer Exist

Beauty pageants have long been a part of global culture, celebrating beauty, talent, and poise in various forms. However, not all pageants adhered to the glamorous and sophisticated image we often associate with them today. Over the years, many bizarre and frequently absurd beauty contests emerged, placing a focus on specific and sometimes outlandish criteria that seem unthinkable by today’s standards. These quirky competitions ranged from judging eye shape and posture to stranger concepts like atomic bomb promotion and posing as vampires, offering a glimpse into the unusual side of historical pageantry.

While some of these contests may seem humorous or even harmless on the surface, many reflect outdated and troubling attitudes toward women and beauty. Thankfully, as society’s understanding of respect, dignity, and equality has progressed, these strange beauty pageants have disappeared into the past. The evolution of pageantry reflects a broader shift towards more inclusive, empowering, and respectful representations of beauty and talent.

Miss Earth 1952

Miss Sausage Queen

Miss Sausage Queen, sponsored by the Zion Meat Company during National Hot Dog Week in 1955, was a lighthearted beauty contest aimed at promoting the company’s products. Contestants participated in sausage-themed events and activities, serving as a playful marketing strategy to boost community engagement and brand visibility.

Miss Lemon

Miss Lemon 1920 was a beauty contest celebrating the lemon industry, where local women competed to represent lemon growers. The winner served as an ambassador, promoting the citrus harvest in a fun regional event.

Miss Correct Posture

Miss Correct Posture was a unique beauty contest held in 1956 that focused on contestants’ spinal alignment and overall posture. Participants were judged on their ability to stand tall and demonstrate proper posture, reflecting the mid-20th century’s growing interest in health and physical fitness.

Miss Idaho Potato

Miss Idaho Potato was a lighthearted beauty pageant held in 1935 to celebrate Idaho’s significant potato farming industry. Contestants were judged not only on their looks but also on their ability to promote and represent Idaho’s famous crop, reflecting the state’s agricultural pride and creativity in marketing its produce.

Miss Control Tower

Photograph - CONTROL TOWER WOMEN MEN PAY HERE CA Miss CONTROL TOWER

Miss Control Tower was a unique beauty pageant held in 1952, celebrating the women working in air traffic control. Contestants were judged on their poise, communication skills, and ability to represent the aviation industry, highlighting the important role of women in this critical field during the early days of commercial aviation.

Miss Lovely Eyes

Majorette (dancer)

Miss Lovely Eyes was a beauty contest held in the 1930s that focused exclusively on the beauty and allure of contestants’ eyes. Participants were judged on eye shape, color, and expressiveness, with the competition celebrating the unique features that could captivate an audience, reflecting a quirky niche in the beauty pageant landscape of the time.

National Catfish Queen

Fish

The National Catfish Queen pageant, held in 1954, was a quirky beauty contest that celebrated the catfish industry, particularly in regions known for catfish farming, like the Mississippi Delta. Contestants competed to promote catfish products and raise awareness about the fishing industry, with the winner serving as an ambassador for catfish farming and seafood consumption.

Miss Gasoline Station

Photograph - TEA VICE ARS ARVICE MISS GASOLINE STATION (ASSOCIATED)

Miss Gasoline Station was a novelty beauty pageant held in 1951 that aimed to promote local gas stations and the burgeoning automobile culture of the time. Contestants, often employees of gas stations, were judged on their charm and ability to represent the industry, highlighting the important role of gas stations in post-war American life as car ownership became increasingly popular.

Miss Orange Queen

Plant

Miss Orange Queen was a beauty contest held in the 1930s to celebrate the orange farming industry, particularly in citrus-producing regions like California and Florida. Contestants were judged not only on their looks but also on their ability to represent the orange harvest, reflecting local pride in agricultural traditions and promoting the importance of citrus in the community.

Miss Blueberry Queen

Bathtub

Miss Blueberry Queen was a beauty pageant held in 1955 to celebrate blueberry farming and promote the fruit’s harvest. Contestants showcased their charm and ability to represent the blueberry industry, reflecting local pride and the significance of agriculture in the region.

Miss Fat and Beautiful Contest

Photograph - TIS PATHE r Einda e

The Miss Fat and Beautiful Contest, held in London, England, around 1960, was a beauty pageant that aimed to celebrate plus-size beauty and challenge conventional standards of attractiveness. This unique contest provided a platform for women of all sizes to embrace their bodies and promote body positivity during a time when societal ideals of beauty were often narrow and restrictive.

Miss Diaper Queen

Leg

Miss Diaper Queen was a beauty pageant held in 1947 during a convention for the Diaper Service Institute of America in Chicago. The contest celebrated the diaper industry, with contestants promoting infant care and diaper services, making it a fun and strategic marketing event.

Donut Queen

Photograph - 1948 DONUT QUEEN

Donut Queen was a beauty pageant held in 1948 that celebrated the donut industry, particularly in communities known for their bakeries. Contestants competed to promote donut products, with the winner serving as an ambassador for local bakeries and highlighting the importance of this beloved treat in American culture.

Miss National Laugh Queen

Snapshot - APRIL 1 SATURDAY A 1961 ATIONEN

Miss National Laugh Queen was a beauty pageant held in 1961 that focused on humor and entertainment. Contestants were judged not only on their looks but also on their ability to make people laugh, showcasing their comedic talents and engaging personalities in a lighthearted celebration of joy and laughter.

Miss Mink

Black-and-white

Miss Mink was a beauty pageant held in 1960 that celebrated the fur industry, specifically focusing on mink fur. Contestants were judged on their beauty and ability to represent the luxury and elegance associated with mink, reflecting the fashion trends of the time while promoting fur as a desirable material in women’s clothing and accessories.

Miss Atomic Bomb

Photograph

Miss Atomic Bomb was a controversial beauty pageant held in 1957 that promoted atomic energy and the nuclear industry during the Cold War era. Contestants were judged not only on their looks but also on their ability to embody the optimistic spirit of the atomic age, often posing with atomic-themed imagery, which sparked significant debate about the implications of glamorizing nuclear power.

Miss Magic Marker

Leg - M M MISS magic marker 1954

Miss Magic Marker was a whimsical beauty pageant that celebrated creativity and artistic expression, often held in the context of school events or art festivals. Contestants showcased their talent for drawing or coloring, using Magic Markers as part of their performances, highlighting the fun and playful side of art while engaging participants and audiences in a lighthearted competition.

Miss Radio Queen

Photography

Miss Radio Queen was a beauty pageant that celebrated the golden age of radio, often held in the 1940s and 1950s. Contestants were judged on their looks, poise, and ability to engage with the radio audience, promoting popular radio shows and personalities of the time while highlighting the influential role of radio in entertainment and communication.

Miss Nebraska Stock Grower

Poster - NEBRASKABEEF 1968 Miss CH THE ALL-AMERICAN SIOCKONG Nebraska

Meet Ann Coffee Harrison, who was crowned Miss Nebraska Stock Grower in 1968. As a representative of Nebraska’s livestock industry, she showcased her passion for agriculture and cattle farming, promoting the importance of stock raising in the state while engaging with local communities and events throughout her reign.

Miss Indoor Health Queen

Photograph - 657-0OR HEALTH QU

Miss Indoor Health Queen was a beauty pageant held in 1967 that focused on promoting health and wellness in indoor environments. Contestants were judged on their knowledge of health practices, physical fitness, and lifestyle choices, emphasizing the importance of maintaining well-being within the home and community while encouraging healthy habits among participants and audiences.

Miss Sweater Queen

Black-and-white - ATER GIRL 1972 WEATER GIRL 1952

Miss Sweater Queen was a beauty pageant held in 1952 that celebrated fashion and style, specifically focusing on the charm of sweaters. Contestants showcased their best sweaters while being judged on their overall appearance and personality, reflecting the cozy fashion trends of the era and promoting local knitwear and clothing retailers.