City and Loveland Stage Company partner for Valentine pageant

Registration still open for babies and toddlers.

By Chuck Gibson 

LOVELAND, OH (January 16, 2023) – Love is already filling the air all around Loveland-town with the Valentine program officially in full swing and all signs pointing to “Hearts Afire Weekend” coming February 10-12. 

The City of Loveland introduced the “Hearts Afire Weekend” in 2022 featuring all kinds of Valentine’s themed fun events all around Loveland. 

Love was definitely in the air. 

This year, they’ve added a “fun” Valentine’s Pageant for babies and toddlers in partnership with the Loveland Stage Company (LSC) on Saturday, February 11. 

There is still time to get your sweetheart toddler or baby registered for the pageant. The pageant will take place from 1-3 p.m on that Saturday afternoon, February 11, with two age categories 1-2 year olds (Little Miss Valetine and Little Mr. Cupid) and 3-4 year olds (Miss Valentine and Mr. Cupid). CLICK HERE for the pageant registration form and details. Entries must be received no later than January 30, 2023 to be eligible.

NOTE: The Hearts Afire Valentine Pageant is a fundraiser to benefit the Loveland Stage Company

Here is text from the City of Loveland Press Release announcing the Valentine Pageant and partmenrship with LSC: 

Do you have a little sweetheart? The City of Loveland is partnering with the Loveland Stage Company to host the first Hearts Afire Valentine Pageant on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, from 1-3 p.m.

The pageant is part of Hearts Afire Weekend (Feb. 10-12), a city-wide event celebrating Valentine’s Day.

The Hearts Afire Valentine Pageant is a baby/toddler fundraiser pageant to benefit a local cause, the Loveland Stage Company’s HVAC system replacement. The Loveland Stage Company is a not-for-profit, award-winning theater located in the heart of Historic Downtown Loveland. It is entirely operated by volunteers who create performing arts experiences for all ages. The theater is raising funds to replace its HVAC system — an estimated $100k repair.

“The pageant is part of the fun of Hearts Afire Weekend. Loveland is like a Hallmark movie during Valentine’s Day. What’s cuter than a kid dressed up like Cupid?” said city volunteer and pageant coordinator Christina Jeranek.

The purely fun pageant is for ages 1-4. Ages 1-2 will compete to be crowned Little Ms. Valentine and Little Mr. Cupid. Ages 3-4 will compete to be crowned Ms. Valentine and Mr. Cupid. The pageant will be judged by the Loveland Valentine Ladies, a local group of women known for their community service.

In the spirit of love, all funds raised by the pageant will benefit the theater. Admission is $5. There will be a “Fan Favorite” award where the audience can participate for $1 per vote. The contestant entry fee is $15.

The pageant will feature an appearance by the 2023 Miss Ohio Elementary Kindergarten, Camila Medina. Medina is a Loveland resident.

To learn more about the pageant and download an entry form, please visit https://lovinlifeloveland.com/events/hearts-afire-valentine-pageant/. Entries must be received by Jan. 30, 2023.

To learn more about Loveland’s “Hearts Afire Weekend”  visit: https://lovinlifeloveland.com/events/hearts-afire/

To learn more about LSC, visit: http://lovelandstagecompany.org/