A new state law has led some local bars to put bikini-clad women on display, promising chances to win cash prizes and trips to tropical places.
This summer two of Starkville’s largest college bars opened their doors and welcomed barely dressed, bikini-clad young ladies to compete for cash and prizes. Although it doesn’t sound much like Starkville’s typical entertainment, organizers say the idea has proven to be a success.
The Alcohol Beverage Control approved a regulation in late April legally allowing Mississippi bars to host bikini contests. Remington’s Hunt Club and Rick’s Caf Amricain were the first to proceed with plans to host a series of summer competitions.
“We received a call at the beginning of May from the owner of The Dock in Jackson. She said that a representative from Miss Hawaiian Tropic was looking for another bar in Mississippi to host one of their international bikini contests and we were chosen,” said Jennie Overstreet, manager of Rick’s.
Rick’s gained sponsorship from the internationally known Hawaiian Tropic Corporation and began the difficult search for contestants willing to get on stage in a bikini.
“It was really hard to get girls to enter the contest. I think a lot of them were just too self-conscience to do it,” Overstreet said.
However, the Hawaiian Tropic contest moved forward with six successful preliminary contests. Each preliminary competition advanced two girls to the final round. The three winners of the Sept. 3 contest will move on to the state competition in Gulfport.
“It wasn’t like other pageants. I felt more laid back and had no stage fright,” finalist Tonya Thornton said. “The crowd helped a lot, too, because they were so respectful.”
Rick’s was not alone this summer in pushing Starkville’s conservative boundaries. Remington’s Hunt Club also joined in the bikini festivities and is hosting its own contest, which will provide the first-place winner with an all-expenses-paid trip to Aruba. Owner Bill Norris said the paradise getaway trip successfully enticed plenty of Starkville’s women to participate in the Hunt Club’s first bikini contest.
“We were very pleased with the outcome. Although it was hard to get girls to do it because they were shy, the girls that did enter the contest soon found that it wasn’t a sleazy or trashy operation,” Norris said. “The girls were treated very well with a lot of respect and they had fun.”
Norris said he always wanted to host a bikini contest at Remington’s, but because of strict laws it was never possible. He said he didn’t mind competing with Rick’s with one of Starkville’s first skin-revealing contests.
“I think if we both do a good job then we help each other out in the long run,” Norris said.
It might have started as a challenge, but those organizing the contests say they are proud and supportive.
“I’m proud of all the ladies. It takes a lot to get up on stage in front of 600 people in a bikini and if it were up to me, they’d all be winners,” Overstreet said.
Norris said there are a lot of beautiful girls in the competition. He added that on Sept. 9, during the finals, the cream of the crop will be competing for the first place prize.
The arrival of the contests means Starkville might be in store for a new spin on the word pageant. Remington’s and Rick’s plan to continue the bikini contests and have already made plans for upcoming competitions.