No rain on their parade

By Aldrich M. Tan • of The Northwestern • June 19, 2008

Six-year-old Meagan Peterson said she wore her sparkly tiara on Wednesday afternoon for the "pretty girls."

In three days, one of 26 contestants vying for the title will become Miss Wisconsin 2008.

The annual Miss Wisconsin parade took place in downtown Oshkosh with perfect weather, parade organizer Chris Richards said. An autograph session at the Park Plaza Hotel followed.

Fifty-nine floats, including 26 vehicles carrying the contestants, traveled down Main Street, Richards said. New entrees included the Trinity Irish Dance Company, A&W Restaurants, and Railroad Ron.

The new Miss Wisconsin Outstanding Teen Jennifer Dombrowski and the current Miss Wisconsin Christina Thompson led the parade.

Even though she was glad to see the crowd, Thompson said she was also sad knowing some people couldn't come because they were dealing with the aftermath of the storm.

"I hope more people will come back for the pageant," she said. "This is one of the events that brings people together to celebrate the good things in life, even when we can't control the weather."

Peterson, of Oshkosh, said it was her second parade. She came back because she had a good time last year.

"I waved at them and they waved back at me," she said of the participants.

The parade had a few surprises for the participants themselves. A large group consisting of family and friends of Miss Prairie Shores Kristina Smaby waved multi-colored flags as she passed them at the corner of Algoma Boulevard and Main Street.

"My family finds a new way to humiliate me," returning contestant Smaby laughed later during the autograph session, "but that's the support that they bring."

Newcomer Miss South Shore Margertha McLean said it was so exciting to be part of the parade and see the streets of Oshkosh.

"My car was fabulous and it had the loudest horn!" she said.

— Aldrich M. Tan: (920) 426-6663 or atan@thenorthwestern.com.