One of the more exciting events from last year, The Queen of Geeks Pageant, is returning to GenCon! I had the pleasure of interviewing Kennetha, the coordinator of this awesome event.

1.) Tell me a little about your event and its history. By whom was it started, and who can participate?

When I started the event a couple of years ago I wanted to create a pageant that I would be comfortable entering myself. I don’t sing, dance, or act, but I’m told I’ve got a lot of great qualities and a brain full of useless knowledge. I don’t think pageants should be about whom looks best in a bikini and can walk in high heels without tripping. So I gave my show a little meat. Challengers have to show their knowledge of all things Geek by answering trivia question.

For the talent portion it’s ok if contestants sing or dance, but we’re really looking for something original. Last year our winner was Deodorant Dame. For her talent she sang an original song entitled “Why Don’t You Just Bath.” I also personally think that anyone can look good if they are comfortable in their own skin. So contestants are encouraged to dress in costumes that reflect their personalities.

I originally tried running the event at Gen Con 2007, but there was a lot of confusion about what I was trying to do. The event is set-up in two parts one listing is for the audience. The other portion is for contenders. As a result the contestant portion never got listed and very few people signed up to be in the audience, so the event was canceled. Last year was really our first year running the event. I personally didn’t think it went well and was really nervous about ever running again. But I’ve received a lot of encouragement, and several contestants from last year plan on entering again this year.

I’ve never really limited who can enter, but since it is called the Queen of Geeks, I haven’t had any men show serious interest. Last year Tracy Hickman threatened to enter because he gets mistaken for a female writer.

2.) Where is the event held? Do attendees need tickets to participate?

The event this year will be in the Westin Grand Ballroom IV. I try to hold it in the same room as the Killer Breakfast and Costume contest. Which is why we hold the even on Friday rather then Saturday. Everyone needs a ticket. Although it is a free event for audience members GenCon likes to keep track of who attends. The more people we have tickets for the more likely they are to let us hold the event again next year. For contestants the ticket price is eight dollars. Last year we were sponsored by J!NX t-shirts. So all the contestants got a shirt just for entering. I’m hoping to have something similar this year.

3.) What are the criteria to be in the pageant?
Ideally I want real Geeks for this pageant. That means no swimsuit portion, canned answers, or Vaseline on contender’s teeth. Aside from that all entrees need is two costumes and a talent.

4.) Any memorable stories from past contests?

Last year I made my husband one of the judges. I think he had too much fun. Before the event even started he had contestants running through the hotel looking for diabetically friendly snacks. We had some pretty interesting talents too. One contestant did a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy monologue with an accompanying PowerPoint presentation. We also had an entrée challenge one of the judges to a round of “Dance Dance Revolution.” One of my favorites though was from a contender who didn’t know about the events requirements and decided to stay regardless. She had to send her husband out for a costume and did a Fan Kata as her talent.

5.) Anything else you’d like to say, and is there a contact number or email that interested people can reach you at?

Keep it simple. Last year one of the challengers wanted to use an open flame. The look on the event staffs faces’ when I mentioned it was priceless.