Civil War doll-dressing contest returns for 2012

BONAPARTE ? In an effort to raise awareness and money for a five-year event commemorating the sesquicentennial of the U.S. Civil War, Gianna Barrow of Bonaparte is sponsoring a contest for designing and dressing dolls in 1860s era costumes.

Barrow will provide 24-inch vintage bride dolls to all those interested in participating but needs to be notified by Sept. 1 of anyone wanting to reserve a doll.

Dolls will be made available by Oct. 1 and need to be returned for the event, display and judging by April 1, 2012. Any 4-H members who would like to participate in the project will be allowed to have their dolls back for the summer to show their designs in fair competitions. These must be returned by Oct. 1, 2012, to be sold at silent auction during the Van Buren County Scenic Drive. The auction will give designers an opportunity to purchase their dolls back if they so desire.

Contest rules are simple to encourage involvement by all ages and skill levels: outside garments must be homemade, clothes must reflect the 1860s era and dolls are to be returned by April 1, 2012.

Judging will be done by the public the week leading up to the day of the event, June 9, 2012, in the categories of: Miss America, Miss Union States, and Miss Confederate States, with Miss Congeniality being award by Barrow.

To reserve a doll, arrange to collect one or for information, contact Barrow at (319) 592-3580 days or (319) 592-3132 evenings.

The 19 dolls from the 2011 contest will be sold at silent auction in Bonaparte?s Opera House Oct. 8-9 during the Autumn Fest held in conjunction with the Van Buren County Scenic Drive.

All proceeds from the sale of the dolls will go to A Civil War Experience, Bonaparte Main Street?s sesquicentennial event. Bonaparte Main Street is a nonprofit organization.