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Ten Local men imitate their rock ‘n’ roll idols this month as they vie for the annual Mr. Habitat crown.
Presented by the Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity, the contest takes a beauty-pageant premise … and flips it on its head. The contestants are quizzed on the organization’s history, compete in a musical chairs contest and perform a skit that stays true to the theme. This year, it’s Rock N Roll with Habitat.
“I think it’s a night where people just come and have fun, and they know it’s going to a worthy cause,” says Aimee Bourgeois, who is organizing the event. “You never know what to expect at the contest.”
The farcical event crowned Nicholls State University women’s soccer coach Dylan Harrison as Mr. Habitat 2011 last year. Harrison, who had participated one time before, portrayed a Spanish matador to fit in with the international theme.
The soccer coach isn’t allowed to defend his crown, but he has some advice to offer to this year’s participants.
“If you’re going in to take yourself serious, I think you’re going to be a little bit disappointed because you expect to be made a fool and expect to be made fun of,” Harrison says. “As long as you have a good time doing it and realize it’s for a good cause, it can be a lot of fun.”
Harrison says the event’s structure ensures a good time for attendees, too.
“It’s a very, very different event, and you’re guaranteed a good laugh,” Harrison says.
Based in Thibodaux, Bayou Area Habitat serves families in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. Its annual goal is to build eight homes, which cost roughly $85,000 a piece. Bayou Area Habitat has built more than 100 homes since being founded in 1996, Bourgeois says.
Bayou Area Habitat is still accepting contestants for the 2012 contest.
To help the cause, and take advantage of an opportunity to brush shoulders with Elvis Presley, Prince and maybe even Ike Turner, reserve a ticket by calling (985) 447-6999. Tickets cost $40 and a table of 10 costs $350.
The event begins at 6 p.m., July 26 at Cypress Columns, 157 Tourist Drive, Gray. For more information, visit www.bayouhabitat.org.
Dylan Harrison, Nicholls State University’s women’s soccer, was crowned Mr. Habitat in 2011.
