By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

CALERA – Contestants at upcoming beauty pageant won’t be typical big-hair beauties bedecked in sequins. Then again, the male contestants of Calera’s Womanless Beauty Pageant may choose to wear ball gowns if they hope to win the three-night stay in Orange Beach grand prize.

The pageant is a fundraiser for three students traveling abroad this summer through the People to People, a student ambassador program.

Seventh graders Shelby Middleton and Calista Holsomback and fifth grader Madison Worden will learn about British and Irish heritage through their travels.

“Three girls from Calera are going to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales,” said Cindy Middleton, one of the girls’ moms and a pageant organizer. “We’re trying to find men in Calera to be in a womanless pageant. It’s a fun way for the kids to raise money.

“All the dads of each of the girls are participating,” Cindy Middleton said. “It’s just something we threw together to be a funny fundraiser.”

Currently, about 10 Calera men are signed up to participate, but Middleton said more can still enter.

“They’ll be doing a beauty walk, interview questions, and a dance — ‘The Cupid Shuffle,’” she said. “All the guys are supposed to have their kids teach them to do it. It’ll be the big, funny ‘ha-ha’ moment because they won’t know what they’re doing.”

Contestants pay a $15 entry fee to compete, but will win at least $15 in gift certificates or other prizes, Middleton said. The winner gets a three-night stay at an Orange Beach condominium that sleeps eight people. Runner up will win a three-month membership to Body for Life. Third place will win a $50 Sunset Salon gift certificate for hair services, and all other contestants will get a gift certificate for a shampoo and cut at Sunset Salon.

“All of the moms are organizing. Our goal is to have at least 15 to 21 men in the pageant. We are seeking more people,” Middleton said. “There’s a lot of men that are really nervous about it. They’re not getting the fun part in their head. They’re getting the nervous part in their head.”

The pageant will be held Saturday, March 31 at Calera Middle School at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $5. To register, email Cindy Middleton at ccmddltn@gmail.com.