Maine Golden Beauty Pageant

05/30/2026

My heart is so full tonight.

We gathered at the Beacon Cottage for a craft night with our Maine Golden Beauty contestants and what unfolded was something truly special. I can see the beginning of friendships that I know will last long after the pageant is over.

As I looked around the room, I saw incredible women supporting one another, sharing pieces of their lives and really embracing this journey with open hearts. It reminded me that while crowns and titles may be part of a pageant…the real magic happens in moments like these.

One of the greatest joys of this time so far has been getting to know each contestant. Their willingness to step outside their comfort zones continue to inspire me. These women are shining examples of what it means to age with confidence, grace, courage and BEAUTY!

We were also thrilled to have our choreographer, Katie Brooks, join us for the evening. Katie brings so much kindness and talent to this journey and it was wonderful for the contestants to spend time with her in such a relaxed and fun setting. We are incredibly grateful to have her as part of the Maine Golden Beauty family. Brooks Dance Center

A very special thank you to Nicole Williams of NAR Creations for making this wonderful evening possible. Nicole guided us through our craft project and helped create an experience filled with so much fun and great memories. We cannot wait to bring our beautiful creations home and proudly display them. Thank you Nicole, for sharing your time and talent with all of us! NARCreations

We were also honored to welcome a couple journalists who joined us to learn more about the pageant. My hope is that they saw what I see…a remarkable group of women proving that new adventures, new friendships and new dreams can begin at any age.

The Maine Golden Beauty Pageant was created to celebrate women over 60, but it has become so much more than a pageant. I’m so grateful to witness this! Mrs. Fricke would be so proud of what we have created for her. I sure miss her!

Tonight was a beautiful reminder that some of life’s most meaningful moments happen around a table filled with crafts, conversation and people willing to make new friends and memories!

I can’t wait to see what memories are created next!

Love, Candice
York County Elder Abuse Task Force
Beacon Cottage

05/27/2026

Wow! wow! wow! is an understatement! These custom-made pieces were just picked up from jeweler’s outlet in Sanford Maine, for the winners of the pageant! Who will be the lucky ladies to take these home?  thank you so much Jewelers Outlet!!

05/26/2026

Thank you to those who have contributed to these so far. We still have a ways to go! So grateful! 

(20 contestant bags) We are looking for businesses, community members and supporters to help us create special contestant swag bags for the 20 incredible women participating in the Maine Golden Beauty Pageant!

These women are more than contestants. They are mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, professionals, survivors, mentors and inspiring women from our communities who bravely stepped outside their comfort zones to be celebrated and uplifted and support a great cause!

We hope each contestant will also feel supported, appreciated and reminded just how special they are. Swag bag donations are a wonderful way to show encouragement while also representing your business or organization in a meaningful and positive way.

We are seeking 20 identical items or gift certificates to include in contestant gift bags. Ideas could include:
• Self care items
• Gift cards
• Beauty products
• Handmade items
• Snacks or treats
• Jewelry or accessories
• Promotional items from local businesses
• Inspirational gifts

Maybe children would like to handmade cards? All ideas welcome!

This event is about respect, community, confidence, courage and celebrating women who deserve to shine. Thank you for helping us make this experience unforgettable for these amazing, brave, beautiful and inspiring women.

You can deliver or drop off donations at:
Beacon Cottage
102 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME

Or mail to:
PO Box 1672
Ogunquit, ME 03907

Questions or donations:
[email protected]
207-646-6492

05/21/2026

BUT WAIT… WE HAVE ONE MORE!

Please join us in welcoming our newest Golden Beauty Pageant contestants…
Ms. Gooch’s Beach, Helena G!!

Helena brings grace, beaut and a wonderful spirit to this very special celebration honoring women 60+ throughout our communities. We are so excited to have her as part of this unforgettable journey!

Welcome to the Golden Beauty family, Helena!

www.yceatf.org

05/19/2026

(20 contestant bags) We are looking for businesses, community members and supporters to help us create special contestant swag bags for the 20 incredible women participating in the Maine Golden Beauty Pageant!

These women are more than contestants. They are mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, professionals, survivors, mentors and inspiring women from our communities who bravely stepped outside their comfort zones to be celebrated and uplifted and support a great cause!

We hope each contestant will also feel supported, appreciated and reminded just how special they are. Swag bag donations are a wonderful way to show encouragement while also representing your business or organization in a meaningful and positive way.

We are seeking 20 identical items or gift certificates to include in contestant gift bags. Ideas could include:
• Self care items
• Gift cards
• Beauty products
• Handmade items
• Snacks or treats
• Jewelry or accessories
• Promotional items from local businesses
• Inspirational gifts

Maybe children would like to handmade cards? All ideas welcome!

This event is about respect, community, confidence, courage and celebrating women who deserve to shine. Thank you for helping us make this experience unforgettable for these amazing, brave, beautiful and inspiring women.

You can deliver or drop off donations at:
Beacon Cottage
102 Main Street, Ogunquit, ME

Or mail to:
PO Box 1672
Ogunquit, ME 03907

Questions or donations:
[email protected]
207-646-6492

05/19/2026

Please share! Thank you!

05/16/2026

So exciting!! Some amazing awards have arrived! These were generously donated by a Beauty Team member. Thank you all who are making this possible!!!

05/15/2026

Today was one of those days that reminds you what this pageant is truly about.

Our “Find a Dress for Mary” gathering was so much more than trying on gowns. It was women showing up for another woman with love, kindness, encouragement and genuine joy in their hearts. Watching contestants and beauty team members surround Mary with excitement, compliments, laughter and support was something truly special to witness.

For many people, trying on dresses may seem like a small thing. But today, it meant the world. Every cheer and every “you look beautiful” created a moment Mary will never forget and neither will I.

What touched me most was seeing women lift each other up without hesitation. Fixing each other’s crowns, celebrating each other’s beauty and making someone else feel important is the true heart of sisterhood. It is not just saying that they support one another but they show it through their actions.

Mary looked absolutely beautiful today but even more beautiful was the love in that room. Gahhhhh!!

Thank you to every single person who came, brought dresses, shared encouragement and helped make this experience so meaningful. You may never fully realize what today meant to Mary, but I can promise you…her heart was full. Mine is too.

This is becoming something incredibly special.

For those asking how they can support this once in a lifetime event, there are so many meaningful ways! Sharing our posts, cheering on the contestants, attending the pageant, donating raffle items or purchasing from our Amazon wish list all help make this experience unforgettable for these remarkable women.

Tickets are now available and already selling quickly!

With love, Candice

05/13/2026

This pageant is to honor a special lady…Ms. Joanie Fricke, Contestant #1 of the Golden Beauty Pageant. 💜

This once in a lifetime celebration began with a wish from Joanie and now she is sharing it with every contestant, every volunteer, every supporter and every woman brave enough to step into the spotlight and be celebrated through this event.

Because of Joanie, this is becoming more than a pageant. It is forming a sisterhood and a remarkable celebration of beauty, resilience, grace and the stories women carry with them.

Contestant #1 will have a special seat at the pageant, although it will not physically be filled. Her spirit will be there. Her light will always remain part of this journey and part of every heart she touches along the way.

Forever our Golden Beauty…Ms. Fricke.

05/10/2026