Bunbury’s beauties on summer parade

Paula Thompson was crowned Miss Summer Parade 2013 on a scorching day at the Parade Hotel on Sunday.

On a day in which the mercury topped 35C, the Bunbury resident and a field of 11 other local beauties sent temperatures and heartbeats soaring as they battled it out on the catwalk for the coveted title.

Miss Thompson emerged victorious, narrowly shading first runner-up Emma Cooper, who was forced to settle for second place for a second consecutive year.

Kenita Van Veen rounded out the top three.

Miss Summer Parade organiser Tamara Herring said she was happy with how the event ran and impressed by the talent on display.

“This was one of the hardest competitions we’ve ever had, ” she said.

“The standard was very high and our judges had a really tough time picking a winner.”

The competition was judged by a panel of eight industry professionals including last year’s Miss Summer Parade winner Jacey Brown, who also took to the runway, much to the delight of the crowd.

Fire twirler and international model Jacinta Rokich were also on hand to keep the packed Parade Hotel entertained.

See more pictures in Thursday’s South Western Times