The Mr. South Whidbey pageant is fixed, and organizers aren’t afraid to admit it. Contestants will make their way to the top by bribing the audience to vote for them.

The candidate who wins is the one who gets the most votes in the form of cold hard cash.

The Mr. South Whidbey pageant is a quirky new fundraiser started by the board members at the Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund (FoF).

“It’s not to be taken too seriously, and it’s not a popularity contest. It’s just to see whoever can raise the most money,” said Suzanne Schlicke, a FoF board member. “It’s totally a bought prize.”

Pageant organizers say the event will be an entertaining, laugh-out-loud fundraiser that supports a good cause right here on the South End.

Nine male community members will charm the audience at the pageant while competing for votes. But, the best man may not always win. All that matters is that he brings in the money.

Throughout the evening contestants will compete in a variety of categories.

They will show off an outfit they think best represents Mr. South Whidbey. They will take part in a question and answer period about South Whidbey and the FoF medical fund. Finally, pageant contestants will dazzle the audience with their talents.

“It will be very interesting to see what people come up with. They are a very talented gang,” Schlicke said.

“We had to find people who are willing to get out there,” said FoF board member Christi Ruscigno. “We wanted someone who would get into it and that is known enough in the community to draw some money in.”

The board members tried to make the contestants a diverse group in terms of occupation and interests.

“We sat around as a board and had a list of all kinds of men that would be perfect,” Schlicke said.

But ultimately, nine contestants were invited (and agreed) to participate.

“I don’t know if they knew what they were getting into, but they’ve put a lot of time and energy into it and they should be commended for it,” Schlicke said.

In addition to entertainment by pageant contestants, guests will be treated to a gourmet meal by Fireseed Catering, and a special appearance by a cappella group, the Carolina Parrots.

There will also be three pageant judges present at the event, although organizers note the judging doesn’t really affect the pageant’s final outcome.

In between each event, a group of ladies will go from table to table collecting votes (money) for the guest’s favorite contestants. The audience can vote as often as they’d like for as many contestants as they’d like.

At the closing of the event, a winner will be announced for each of the three categories, as well as the overall winner — Mr. South Whidbey.

The Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund organizers are excitedly awaiting the first ever Mr. South Whidbey pageant.

“We are hoping that it will be just a really fun event that will become an institution that we can do year after year,” Schlicke said.