10/15/2026
We have been thinking a lot about how to close out this page, and we keep coming back to one thing… what this was really all about.
The Golden Beauty Pageant was never meant to be an annual or traditional pageant. It wasn’t created to be perfect. It was a special wish. One wish through our Wishing Well Project that somehow grew into something pretty incredible.
So many people gave so much of themselves to make this wish happen. Our performers donated their time and talent and our volunteers worked for months and asked for absolutely nothing in return. Businesses donated, families helped, people showed up and amazing women stepped way outside their comfort zones to take this crazy journey with us.
We want to give a special thank you to our humble, kind and truly amazing contestants. They didn’t do this primarily for themselves or to win anything. They did it to help make Mrs. Fricke’s wish come true and to support something bigger than themselves. They showed up with open hearts, a willingness to try something new, positivity, a pure perspective and a desire to help make a difference. That is what made these women 'Golden Beauties' long before they ever stepped onto that stage.
To every single person who played a part in making this wish come true, thank you. We couldn’t have done it without you and we will always be grateful for the kindness, generosity and heart you brought to this journey.
None of us had ever done this before. We certainly weren’t professional pageant people or professional producers. We are simply a group of people with really good hearts trying to do something really special for others and our cause...and we did!
We are grateful to the hundreds of people who filled that audience and gave us grace. You cheered, laughed and cried with us. You celebrated these women right alongside us.
But most importantly, you saw this event for what it was, instead of what it wasn’t. You saw the heart behind it and for that we sincerely thank you.
Sometimes we get so caught up looking for what went wrong that we forget to stop and appreciate everything that went right. Throughout this entire journey, we saw kindness everywhere. There are still so many beautiful hearts in this world and we are incredibly grateful for the people who choose to see the good. That’s what our world needs more of.
So, to every Golden Beauty, every volunteer, performer, sponsor, family member, community member and every single person who supported this crazy little idea, THANK YOU!!!
Thank you for giving us grace and believing in what we were trying to do. Thank you for celebrating these women.
Most of all, thank you for seeing the good.
Because here’s the thing...We granted a wish and every single person in that room was part of granting it! That’s exactly why our ladies stepped off that stage to grab their magic wands for one last celebration with you. They are our Golden Beauties but they are wish granters, too!! Every person who gave, volunteered, cheered, supported or simply believed in this little idea helped make someone’s wish come true.
The crowns were just some extra fun!
The Golden Beauty Pageant page is now officially closing, and this will be our final post.
We couldn’t think of a better way to say goodbye than to remind everyone why we started this journey in the first place. It was never about perfection and never just about crowns, gowns or a stage. It was about kindness and celebration and about making our older woman in our communities feel seen, celebrated, worthy and loved.
..and if we did that, even for one person, then every bit of this journey was worth it and we made Mrs. Fricke proud!
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our wish. Thank you for helping us make a little magic and thank you for reminding us that there is still so much good in this world when people come together with open hearts.
The page may be closing...but the wish we made together will always be part of our memories.
