Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Heidi Heitkamp judged a Bedazzled Bra contest at the 4H building at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds Tuesday afternoon. The money raised at the event will go to the Tough Enough To Wear Pink chapter of the Minot Y's Mens Rodeo.
Bras in six categories were judged. The categories of bras reflected the North Dakota lifestyle. Categories included agriculture, livestock, spirit of America, rodeo, and cowgirl tough.
After inspecting each bra closely, Heitkamp picked a brown bra with silver streaks on it for Best In Show. The bra was designed by Amanda Crawford of Minot and it was entered in the cowgirl tough category.
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U.S. Senate candidate Heidi Heitkamp displays the winner of the Bedazzled Bra Contest at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. Best In Show went to Amanda Crawford of Minot.
Heitkamp said that the bra was, "Absolutely stunning."
Crawford won $1,000 for taking best in show at the contest. She heard about the contest from her mother and was intrigued that funds raised by the event would go to cancer research. Crawford added that she would like to dedicate the win to her aunt who is a breast cancer survivor.
The event, and the money raised, go to a cause that is very special to Heitkamp. She is a breast cancer survivor and is pleased that events like these raise awareness to a worthy cause.
"Any time I have an opportunity to remind people to have mammograms, I think it is critical. I love doing events where we do everything we can to encourage women to make healthy choices," Heitkamp said.
One of Heitkamp's favorite bras was made of different colors of duct tape and was titled "Holding It Together."
When asked what the name of the bra had in common with people going through breast cancer, Heitkamp said it meant, "You can make it. You can do it. You put one foot in front of the other and see yourself through."
Nikki Medalen, the Competitive Exhibits Director for the North Dakota State Fair, said that the bras in the contest would be donated to the Minot Tough Enough To Wear Pink Chapter of the Minot Y's Mens rodeo.
"The bras will be used in fundraisers leading up to the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo in October," Medalen said.
According to their website, the Tough Enough To Wear Pink organization raises money to provide patients access to Trinity Health's new cancer exercise rehab program at the Minot Family YMCA.
Chairman of the Tough Enough To Wear Pink committee, Paul Kramer, said that the fundraising won't end with the bra contest.
"We will be selling hats and shirts at the WGO Zoo radio station's tent by the Flickertail Gardens at every day of the State Fair," Kramer said.