I know, it sounds very odd.  It is very odd.  It’s the 8th annual Beaver Queen pageant, a fabulous fund-raiser for the Ellerbe Creek Association.  The Ellerbe is a little river that runs right through the middle of the city, and unlike the Eno, which is a well-established park and preserve, it has a lot of typical “urban stream” problems, like erosion and pollution.  It also has fish, frogs, herons, and beavers.

Hosted by NPR radio stars and various city dignitaries, the Beaver Queen pageant is a perfect blend of campy and …   well, campy.  I mean, a bunch of grown men and women in “beaver drag?”   Yeah…

It’s also a great family event.  But in spite of all the talent and hard work of the contestants this year, it was really my friend’s super-adorable niece who stole the show.  She just got right up on the stage to do her thing.  I think she should have been declared Beaver Princess!