Kristen Culberson remembers a lot about the three-day event five years ago that made her Miss New Brunswick 2019. She recalls the stress, the fun and the amazing friendships she made along the way — ultimately culminating in her winning the crown. Foro Culberson, the pageant was a positive experience, but she was not surprised to hear the annual event was cancelled because of a lack of interest.
"Interest in pageants has definitely waned over the years," she said. "I think that's kind of around the changing climate and the changing social structure and kind of the idea of what pageants are." Not enough applicants Earlier this month, the Miss New Brunswick Pageant posted on Facebook to say the event would be cancelled.
There just weren't enough applications for what has traditionally been an important part of Old Home Week in Woodstock, drawing competitors who'd won pageants in other communities. A month before that announcement, the page made a post changing the application criteria to allow non-titleholders to apply for entry in the pageant and go through an interview process. But according to event co-ordinator Twyla Rogers, changing the criteria didn't help draw more applicants.
Only a few days before the deadline, there were five potential competitors and zero registrations. "I just think times are changing, I hate to say it," said Rogers, who only took on the organizer role last year. Heaven Solomon, Miss New Brunswick 2022, crowns Alexa Drapeau as Miss New Brunswick 2.
