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'Miss Andersonville' Pageant Resurrected For 'Hood's 50th Anniversary

By Mina Bloom | June 9, 2015 5:37am

ANDERSONVILLE — Soon one devoted resident will be crowned "Miss Andersonville."

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce has resurrected the beauty pageant, which was held from 1965 to 1989 — but is giving it a modern-day twist.

"In the course of promoting the 50th anniversary of Midsommarfest and the neighborhood being called Andersonville, we kept coming across these amazing vintage photos of Miss Andersonville," Jessica Hammer, who does marketing for the chamber.


The winner of "Miss Andersonville" in 1965. [Courtesy/Andersonville Chamber of Commerce]


The winner of "Miss Andersonville" in 1986. [Courtesy/Andersonville Chamber of Commerce]

"We wanted a fun way to celebrate Andersonville's history, but we didn't want a traditional beauty pageant."

Unlike in past years, the crown will be awarded to the contestant — man or woman — who raises the most money for his or her charity or local nonprofit of choice. 

Here are the six finalists: April Friedman-Hurvitz, a cheerleader who frequents Cheetah Gym and Calo; Boobs Radley, an Edgewater native who has a soft spot for abused animals; Kevin Romero, who manages a hospital by day and is an improviser with pH Comedy Theater by night; Bente Engelsoft, a comedian, actress and a barista at First Slice; Mark King, a visual manager who has lived in the neighborhood for 13 years; and Sangini, who has been member at Cheetah Gym for 12 years and works for Chicago Cares.

As of Monday evening, Romero was leading the group with $3,800 raised toward pH Comedy Theater.

All of the money raised by the contestants will go directly to the charities regardless of who wins, so "everyone is going to win," Hammer said.

Still, there can only be one "Miss Andersonville." He or she will be crowned Sunday during the 16 Candles music performance on the north stage at Midsommarfest.

Donations will be accepted through 6 p.m. Sunday.

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