Bert In Bronze: A Tribute To Parks

When they talk about the bronze Bert Parks these days, they're probably not reminiscing about the late entertainer's suntan.

Actually, it's a life-size statue of the longtime host of the Miss America pageant, unveiled this week in front of the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center, where the pageant is traditionally held every September. (This year's big event is set for Saturday night.)

Artist Snell Johnson of Arizona used bronze of several different finishes and gold plating to create the Bert Parks statue, which depicts him holding a Miss America crown. When visitors stand with their heads beneath the crown, the Miss America theme song plays.

The likeness was approved by members of the Parks family, who attended the unveiling ceremony Monday morning. Other guests included former Miss Americas Lee Ann Meriwether (who was the first winner crowned by Parks), Evelyn Ay (1954), and Kate Shindle (1998).

In dedicating the statue, Leonard Horn, Miss America president and CEO, talked about Parks' importance to the program: "His energy, his devotion, his way of being so crucial without detracting from the women on stage...all his wonderful attributes helped build the foundation of Miss America and helped make it the institution it is today."

Parks served as emcee for 25 Miss America pageants.

In addition to the Parks statue, sculptor Johnson also created a replica of the Golden Mermaid, the trophy awarded to the first seven Miss Americas in the 1920s. This statue will be placed in the front lobby of the Convention Center.

The Golden Mermaid features an authentic teak base and granite rock miniature, as did the original trophies. The Mermaid is gold dipped as are the gold shells on the base.

Tom Scannapieco, of Scannapieco Development Corporation, New Hope, Pennsylvania, conceived the ideas for both the Parks statue and the Golden Mermaid replica. Scannapieco engineers the display of all Miss America memorabilia at the Sheraton.

"There were only seven Golden Mermaids created in the 1920s, and we were surprised to find out that each was a little bit different," said Janet Espinshade, one of Scannapieco associates. "Each mermaid was cast to fit the granite rock that she lounged upon. So, we have continued that tradition, and this 'latest mermaid' fits her own granite lounging rock."

Added Espinshale, "The Golden Mermaid speaks for itself. She marks the very, very beginnings of Miss America history, and it is a very rare statue."