Bikini Bunnies: The Glorious Rabbit Costume Contest
A rabbit costume contest is one of the most popular shows at the Ohio State Fair.
Contestants between nine and nineteen years old
The contest is not the first of its kind — it was inspired by a Halloween competition held by the American Rabbit Breeder’s Association. The rules are simple: Contestants must be between 9 and 19 years old, and they must be exhibiting a rabbit in a regular [the rabbits’ health and physical confirmation is judged against a written standard for their breed] competition class. More than one rabbit can be part of a costume (if you want to dress several rabbits in Game of Throne costumes, feel free) and entrants must submit a short written description of the their rabbit costume.
Alicia Shoults, the Public Relations Director at the Ohio State Fair, has seen it all.
“In the past, the Olympics were a popular costume theme. We’ve had Snow White and the Seven (bunny) Dwarfs and the full cast of Big Bang,” Shoults says. “A bunny in a pot with a chef is one costume that we see on a regular basis.”
Some go the ready-to-wear route, and use American Girl outfits and Build-A-Bear clothes. Others are more couture.
There have also been versions of bikini-clad hula bunnies and Ohio-related cheerleaders and mascots.
Some go the ready-to-wear route, and use American Girl outfits and Build-A-Bear clothes. Others are more couture.
“Often, participants prepare hand-made, knitted costumes,” says Shoults.
Although only the rabbit is required to be in costume, the owners often dress up as well. Matching costumes are popular, and participants tend to keep their ideas relevant to current trends and pop-culture.
Bridget Moore, the Rabbit Breed Show Assistant Superintendent, helps organize all of the rabbit judging at the Ohio State Fair, including the costume contest. She said that the “contest judges are kept a secret up until show time.” The two to three judges are area rabbit breeders and enthusiasts who don’t have family entered in the rabbit competition at the fair.
Judges pick their favorites for several categories: Best In Show, Most Original, and Best of Duo, as well as 2nd through 5th place. Winner of Crowd Favorite is left up to applause. The rabbit that scores the loudest cheers wins.
All of the awards for the costume contest are sponsored by a local company or individual. First through fifth place winners all receive ribbons; first place in each category also gets a trophy.
This year’s Best In Show winner was 14-year-old Donnie Smith, from Delaware County. His Holland Lop wore a homemade orange felt costume shaped like a cell phone. Donnie described it as “the Carrot Phone 1,000,” with “ears for antennae.”
The costume contest is one of the most popular shows in the “bunny barn,” where rabbits are housed during the fair.
“The costume contest is a real crowd pleaser,” says Shoults. “We had a packed house this year. All the bleachers were full, and every year there are around 20 entries.”
Fair time can be stressful for the young kids, and fair organizers started the costume contest to give competitors a low-key, fun event to participate in.
However, the human half of the equation seems to find the costumes more enjoyable. Finding a patient rabbit is one key to success in the costume contest.
Although participants use their most docile bunnies for the costume contest, rabbits have been known to undress on stage. Shoults recalls the seven Dwarf Rabbits that were dressed up as the seven dwarfs from Snow White: “They all had fake beards on and proceeded to take them off during judging.”
Just like other animals, some rabbits feel more comfortable in front of crowds, but costumes and a large audience can cause even the calmest rabbit to grow anxious.
“We’ve had rabbits hopping out of costumes, but so far we haven’t had any escapees,” said Moore.
Even though the costume contest is just for fun, the kids put a lot of time into preparing their rabbits for the show.
“It’s clear that they are all very knowledgeable about rabbits,” says Moore. “The rabbits are all in good health and handled well.”
And after 10 years, Moore says the competitors continue to come up with fresh ideas.
“You’d think there would be a lot of repeats, but the variety is incredible.”
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