End of an era: Reunion may mark the end of long-standing tradition of Bushwhacker royalty

Sunday, June 12, 2005
Joanne Perkins displays her scrapbook of past Bushwhacker Royals.

By Nancy Malcom

Nevada Herald

Nevada may soon say goodbye to a long-standing tradition that may be gone with the 2005, Sesquicentennial Bushwhacker Days celebration.

A float to celebrate past Bushwhacker Royals may be the last royalty float to appear in the parade, as no interest has been shown this year for participants or sponsors.

Joanna Perkins, who has been responsible for organizing the Bushwhacker Royalty event the past several years, lamented the lack of interest shown this year. "

I am so disappointed that the kids aren't more involved," she said. "We have added two other categories over the past few years and the talent event to try to gain more participants."

Although in 2004 there were no candidate for the Miss Bushwhacker title, there were those who competed for Little Miss Bushwhacker, Miss Pioneer and Little Miss Pioneer.

Perkins said she doesn't know why the decline in interest in this event has occurred. She thinks people may misunderstand the role of the dress in the competition.

"The clothing has to be authentic looking," she explained, "but it should represent Vernon County, where most people were farmers. I think some people feel they have to have a "Southern Belle" type gown and that is just not what people of this area wore." In 2005, no one inquired about applying for any of the Bushwhacker Royalty titles.

"We decided to honor all the past Royals and get as many of them as possible to ride on a float in the parade," Perkins explained.

From 1966 through 1998 there were 32 Bushwhacker Queens. In 1972 the Princesses competition started and there were 26 applicants through 1998. From 1975 through 1998 there have been 24 Little Miss Bushwhacker participants.

Starting in 1999 the categories were changed to Miss Bushwhacker for high school girls, Little Miss Bushwhacker for middle school-aged girls, Miss Pioneer for third through fifth graders, and Little Miss Pioneer for girls from kindergarten through second grade.

There have been only five Miss Bushwhackers, five Little Miss Bushwhackers, and six each for the Miss and Little Miss Pioneer categories.

Perkins has managed to contact and get tentative agreements from about 20 past royals to appear on the float in the 2005 parade.

Whether the Bushwhacker Royalty pageants continue or not, Perkins is putting together a scrapbook of photos from all past royal coronations and teas. The scrapbook will be donated to the Bushwhacker Museum when finished.

Any photos from 1966 through 2004 concerning any of the events surrounding the royalty pageant would be welcome additions to the scrapbook.

"I'd hate to see the event just fold," Perkins said, sadly, "but participation is voluntary and if there is no interest maybe it's time to move on. Kids are missing a great opportunity to learn more about the history of our county -- and a lot of fun. I'd like to see the event continue. But if not then history is history."

To donate photos to the Bushwhacker Royalty scrapbook, to participate in the parade float or to volunteer to help with future Bushwhacker royal events, contact Joann Perkins at 1921 N. West Street, Nevada, MO 64772 or phone her at (417) 667-3915.

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