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Dressing up for kids' sake

(Updated: Thursday, July 02, 2009, 12:00 AM)

The Comedic Costume Pageant was full of surprises June 19. The event was part of the Liz for Honorary Mayor of Fresno Flats campaign and raised money for the Boys and Girls Club.

The evening began with cocktails and social hour followed by a welcome by emcee Johnnie Rae, or "Mr. Elvis." All contestants gathered at the base of the stage and, one by one, walked across displaying their most creative attire.

Dinner was served by dressed-up attendees including Supervisor Tom Wheeler. Mr. Elvis performed a '50s rock 'n' roll revival, and women gathered, screaming, around the base of the stage.

The evening also included a silent auction, Mr. Elvis' '70s Vegas Review, raffle ticket drawings and the announcement of the pageant's first-place winner, which was two individuals -- Peggy Jamison and Bruce Persson.

Janice Ware, mother of Liz Ware, who is running for honorary mayor, helped make the pageant possible. Ware said it took three months of organizing but they had "wanted something different and decided to put the 'fun' back into fundraising."