Rain washes away Miss Valentine pageant

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Tuesday February 16, 2010 00:00

The Miss Millennium pageant is held outdoors but on Sunday a heavy downpour washed the show away.

Everything was set for the occasion and even the patrons turned up clad in Valentine colours.  It looked like it was going to be a great evening as the colourful set-up was ideal for a Valentine's Day outing.

Everything seemed perfect and even a Valentine dinner has been prepared for the patrons.  The contestants were also looking forward to the pageant as they had spent the past two weeks rehearsing for the show.  Some of the beauty queens, who did not make it last year, were going to try their luck for the second time.

The organisers had taken their time to prepare for the show.  They did not leave anything to chance. 

Patrons did not have to worry about security either because a local security firm had offered to conduct patrols on horseback for free. 

But just when everyone thought the show was about to kick-off, it started to rain.  Disappointed patrons had to take cover inside the restaurant.

After some soul searching, the organisers decided that the pageant should be held inside the crowded restaurant. 

But as they were about to set up, there was a power cut and the restaurant was lit up with candles. Patrons were patient, as they did not storm out in protest.  Actually they sympathised with the organisers.

Even when the power was restored, the organisers felt that they could no longer go on with the show.   At this time, some of the patrons had already left. 

It was finally decided that the pageant be postponed to next Saturday.   Patrons were told that they could use the same tickets for the next show.  The other option was that they could trade their tickets for a meal. 

One of the pageant organisers, Shima Monageng said they had learnt a valuable lesson from the Sunday experience since most of their shows have always been held outdoors.  He said they are planning to build a multi-purpose hall to avoid similar disasters in future. 

Monageng said this time they had really planned for the Millennium pageant and it was going to be a bigger and better show.  He said the pageant has been getting bigger but today an act of nature has spoiled everything'.

He thanked the Millennium patrons for their cooperation.   He said they are going to make the Saturday pageant a memorable one for everyone, provided it does not rain again.