Renew/Wings held the second annual “An Evening in Her Shoes” on Saturday at the Elks Club in Cortez.
Men competed as “cinematic bombshells” in the categories of talent, evening gown and interview, with a chance at the title of “Ms.Ter 2017.”
This year, Shawn Bittle won third place as Granny from “The Beverly Hillbillies,” and last year’s winner, Gary Noyes, took second as Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz.”
The title “Ms.Ter 2017” went to Bill Connor.
The event benefits Renew, a domestic and sexual violence and advocacy center in Cortez. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Renew wanted to bring attention to domestic violence, said Renew’s program director, Mary Fuller.
For Kristy Aiken, it was her second year attending the pageant.
“It was just a lot of fun,” she said. “The guys made it very entertaining, and the money goes to a very good cause, and I just wanted to support Renew again this year.”
This year’s pageant was hosted by Jill Carlson and DJ’d by PA Jackson, with performances by Durango comedians Bailey Rae Lammon and Elliot Webber, and local musician Carrie Schneider LeMay.
“We had quite a bit of presale,” said Fuller. “I don’t know about the final numbers because the contestants sold tickets too.”
“I thought some of the guys enjoyed it more than they should have,” Mary Ann Findley said. “It made it all the more fun, and we got a kick out of it.”
Renew offers free and confidential services to Montezuma and Dolores county residents that include a safe house, a 24-hour hotline, professional counseling, and criminal and civil justice support.
All proceeds from “In Her Shoes” benefit victims served by Renew/Wings.