Munger Potato Queen: BAGGED!

Since we have been doing the Michigan thing here at KPC, I have to note that there is a scandal in Munger, MI: The "Potato Queen" has been called out and bagged. Her offense? She did not attend the Munger Potato festival events in the off-season.

Not just ANYONE gets to be queen. It takes dedication, and energy. You can't be one of those couch potatoes, and be Potato Queen, Allison Nowicki. You betrayed the public trust, and you had to be mashed.

BUT WAIT: Allison Nowicki fights back! Apparently it was just a misunderstanding. The accusation of holding back on the spud circuit?

Not so, says Nowicki, who appeared at the Miss Bay County Pageant, St. Johns Mint Festival, Bay County Fair, Montrose Blueberry Festival and Linwood Pickle Festival.

"The only one I missed was the (Bay City) St. Patrick's Day Parade," Nowicki, a sophomore at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, told The Bay City Times for a Monday story. "I called the first runner-up and told her I wasn't going to make it."

First runner-up Katie Smrecak, daughter of festival chairman Don Smrecak, will serve as queen until a new king and queen are crowned July 26 at the 53rd Annual Munger Potato Festival.

Munger is an unincorporated town about 85 miles north-northwest of Detroit.

Munger [sic? Nowicki?] said she had a school meeting that conflicted with the St. Patrick's Day Parade and couldn't make the 3 1/2-hour drive.

"To me, it wasn't about getting a crown and getting a sash — it was about getting to meet people and showing my love for Munger," Nowicki said. "Who knows if they're going to do that to next year's queen? I don't want anyone else to have to go through this."

Later in that story, we learn that "Two queen committee members declined comment." A cover-up! Call Oliver Stone!

For those of you thinking of attending this year's festival, it is July 26-30. Here is the schedule of events.....and here is what is going on, just on DAY ONE, Thursday (the order in which the events are listed escapes me):

Thursday, July 26
FIGURE EIGHT DERBY
7:30 P.M.

Queen & King Chosen
7:00 P.M.

Jerkwater Town Boys*
8:00 P.M. till Midnight

Ellitott's Amusements
4 P.M. till Close

LA$ VEGA$ CA$INO
9:00 P.M. till ?

Bingo Tent
8:00 P.M. till ?


And, as the main ad states...well, here's what you can expect:
Family Fun - Activities for the entire family! - Famous Potato Bratwurst - Hot French Fries - Food Tent - Potato Display - Tons Of Free Potatoes