SLUG Queen facts for kids
The SLUG Queen is a fun and unique character. This person is like an unofficial friendly ambassador for the city of Eugene, Oregon, in the United States. SLUG stands for "Society for the Legitimization of the Ubiquitous Gastropod". The Slug Queen leads many popular events in Eugene. These include The EUG Parade and the former Eugene Celebration festival.
The idea for the Slug Queen started as a way to be different. It was a playful protest against the usual name "Eugene Celebration." A new SLUG Queen is chosen every year. This happens after a public contest on the second Friday in August. The name "SLUG" is a rebellious nod to traditional beauty queens. Those queens are often picked for their looks. The Slug Queen is chosen for their cleverness and bold personality. Slugs were picked because they are common in the Willamette Valley. They are also the opposite of typical mascots. They represent creativity and good-natured humor. The current queen is called the "Raining" SLUG Queen. After one year, they become an "Old Queen." They are never called "former" or "past" queens.
Contents
How the SLUG Queen is Chosen
The yearly event to crown the SLUG Queen is a bit like a formal beauty pageant. But it has a very funny and over-the-top style. This slug-themed contest began in 1983. In August 2007, Eugene celebrated the 25th year of the SLUG Queen coronation. That year's queen was Old Queen Glorious Gastropause, also known as comedian Leigh Anne Jasheway.
There have been 36 SLUG Queens so far. The most recent is "Raining" Queen Sluggarita Incognita. Slugs do not have a specific gender. So, SLUG Queens can be any gender. As of 2018, nine of the 36 SLUG Queens have been men.
What Happens at the Coronation
The new SLUG Queen is chosen each year. This happens on the second Friday evening in August. The competition has three parts:
- Costume Judging: Contestants are judged on their outfits. The costumes should be funny and "sluggish."
- Talent Performance: Each contestant performs a three-minute talent on stage.
- Quick Wit Question: Contestants answer one question. This shows how quickly and cleverly they can think.
A group of past queens, called "Old Queens," choose the new SLUG Queen. Their motto is "once a Queen—always a Queen." The judges look for three main things:
- Originality
- Creativity
- A fun, outgoing personality
One special thing about the SLUG Queen pageant is that bribery is allowed and even encouraged! The Old Queens judge the contest. They are open to bribes as soon as a new queen is crowned. Creative bribes are the most popular with the Old Queens. They often tell hopeful contestants to "Bribe early and bribe often."
Since SLUG Queens keep their title for life, they also keep the power to crown new queens. They stay active and visible in the community. They use their fame to help local causes and charities. They also host events while in their royal character.
History of the SLUG Queen
The idea for the Slug Queen first came about in 1983. It was a reaction to the Eugene City Council's choice of the plain name "Eugene Celebration" for a city festival. After the Hult Center opened successfully in 1982, the City Council wanted an annual festival. This festival would celebrate art, culture, and business in Eugene.
Cynthia Wooten, a city councilwoman, talked with City Manager Mike Gleason. They discussed a unique Eugene festival and parade. Gleason reportedly wanted to name it simply the "Eugene Celebration." But Wooten, along with Karl Eysenbach and Paul Ollswang, suggested "Slugfest." The rest of the City Council turned down this name.
Alana Probst then organized the first Slugfest. It was an alternative to other cities' beauty pageants. She held it in her own backyard. There, the first Slug Queen was chosen. It was a man named Bruce Gordon, who rode in drag on a giant slug-shaped float in the first Eugene Celebration Parade. This was directly against the City Council's wishes. But the crowds loved it right away.
The Slug Queen Competition and Coronation quickly became a yearly event. Instead of promoting typical beauty queen standards, the creators chose the humble slug as their symbol. This creature fit the Pacific Northwest's wet climate and Eugene's unique spirit. Since 1991, Kim Still has organized the Slug Queen coronation. She was the manager of the Eugene Saturday Market.
What the SLUG Queen Does
The new SLUG Queen has several important duties. Her first official duty is to lead the parade at the Eugene Celebration (when it was held). There, she meets the public. She is also expected to:
- Open the Mayor's Art Show.
- Open the Salon de Refuse (a playful name for an art show).
- Give a blessing at the Maude Kerns Art Center Jello Art Show in April.
- Host a charity ball for a cause she chooses.
- "Rain" over the coronation for the next year's SLUG Queen.
She can also make other appearances throughout the year. These might include the Oregon Country Fair, Da Vinci Days, ribbon cuttings, fashion shows, and Art and the Vineyard.
The Slug Queens are proud to show the diversity of Eugene. Anyone over 21 can be elected. They just need to impress the Old Queens. Out of 32 Slug Queens so far, eight have been men. These include:
- Bruce (1983), the first Slug Queen.
- Queen Dave (1987), a postal worker.
- Queen Marionberry (1994), a drag queen.
- Queen Bagonda (1997), an artist with cerebral palsy.
- Queen Peterella (1998), actor Mark Van Beever.
- Queen Anislugsia (2009), comedian Daniel Borson.
- Queen Professor Bulbous Slimbledore (2014).
- Queen Markalo Parkalo (2015), disability rights advocate Mark Roberts.
Very Old Queen Bananita Sluginsky (Sarah Ulerick) from 1993 was the first Russian-Western-American SLUG Queen. She is also the Dean of Science at Lane Community College. She is a favorite host for the annual competition.
Slug Queens never lose their special titles. After their "raining" year, they become "Old Queen" for ten years. Then they become "Very Old Queen," "Very, Very Old Queen," and "Exquisitely Old Queen" in each following decade.
In 2008, Queen "Marie Slugtoinette" was featured in a special drawing on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Her real identity, Designer Constance Van Flandern, is also known for creating the term "Alpha Mom."
Images for kids
-
S.L.U.G. Queen Pageant 2012 Queen Sadie Slimy Stitches and Queen Carmen Slugana
