Peace. Love. Beaver.

June 8, 2015/Durham Magazine/

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Beaver lovers across Durham gathered together on Saturday, June 6, to celebrate the 11th annual Beaver Queen Pageant at Duke Park meadow. Fitting with this year’s Bollywood theme, the five contestants were clad in a variety of eccentric and colorful beaver costumes. Seven judges dressed in equally outlandish outfits, known as the “Board of Corruption,” critiqued them, although the audience was also encouraged to bribe the judges to vote for their favorite beaver. The five competed for the awards of Best Tail (Madame Beavery), Best Talent (Dr. Beaver Buck Teeth), Best Stage Presence (Beaver Brides), Best Bribes (Satine Bieber), Miss Hygeniality (Madame Beavery), People’s Choice (Mz. Polly Nator) and the ultimate crown of the 2015 Beaver Queen, which also was awarded to Mz. Polly Nator. The $15,000 raised from the pageant went to the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association’s efforts to clean up Durham’s waterways and protect the local wildlife. The pageant was started in 2005 when members of the Duke Park neighborhood joined forces to protect a family of beavers that was put in jeopardy by the construction of I-85. What began as a little-known, underground pageant has grown exponentially to an event that attracts hundreds every year.

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

Beaver Brides supporters Richard Milward, Steve Humphrey, Melissa Harrell, Sandee Washington, Carol Fuqua and Sue Unruhe prepare for the pageant.
Beaver Brides supporters Richard Milward, Steve Humphrey, Melissa Harrell, Sandee Washington, Carol Fuqua and Sue Unruhe prepare for the pageant.

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

Spectators Eliza Dubose and Chris Carter show off their beaver spirit.
Spectators Eliza Dubose and Chris Carter show off their beaver spirit.

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

Tyler Holoboski, Loren Sass and Megan Aizpuro.
Tyler Holoboski, Loren Sass and Megan Aizpuro.

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

Richard Hart with founding pageant member “Swarmi.”
Richard Hart with founding pageant member “Swarmi.”

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

David and Ruby Solow.
David and Ruby Solow.

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

The Beaver Brides, Judie Adams and Christine Westfall, won the prize for Best Stage Presence.
The Beaver Brides, Judie Adams and Christine Westfall, won the prize for Best Stage Presence.

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

2015 Beaver Queen "Mz. Polly Nator" Joanne Andrews and Tammy Wells-Angerer.
2015 Beaver Queen “Mz. Polly Nator” Joanne Andrews and Tammy Wells-Angerer.

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

Judges “Hulk Beaver" and “Rock Woodsman, Interesting Man.”
Judges “Hulk Beaver” and “Rock Woodsman, Interesting Man.”

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

David McGivern, along with “Beehive Beaver” and “Buck Lodgers,” show their support for Mz. Polly Nator.
David McGivern, along with “Beehive Beaver” Ellen Weber and “Buck Lodgers,” show their support for “Mz. Polly Nator.”

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

Beaver Queen volunteers Ray Lingle and Susan Sewell.
Beaver Queen volunteers Ray Lingle and Susan Sewell.

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

Judges “Ms. Genie Tail-Yah” Jill Anderson and “Clean Beaver.”
Judges “Ms. Genie Tail-Yah” Jill Anderson and “Clean Beaver.”

Beaver Queen Pageant 2015

Spectators Dana Rosenbury, Hannah-Kate Hart, Emily Doyle and Lexi Mason leave the pageant happy to have supported the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association.
Spectators Dana Rosenbury, Hannah-Kate Hart, Emily Doyle and Lexi Mason leave the pageant happy to have supported the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association.

 

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