Pinups by the beach at Downunder Beachfest

If you live for cars and the hot rod lifestyle, you’re at The Ryno Insurance “Downunder
Beachfest”, the only five day hot rod event of down-to-earth, family friendly fun held on the beautiful Sunshine Coast beach in Australia.  The festival celebrates every element of the hot rod and classic car lifestyle, with 700 cars on show, cruises, bands, market stalls and the Miss Downunder Beachfest pinup pageant.
This year Miss Downunder Beachfest (MDB) was supported by Sailor Jerry which was flowing all day with patrons and pinups trying to collect all four of their new cup designs.   We had burlesque from Summer

Dragonfly with her “Sea of the Moon” act, taking inspiration from MGMs top swimming star the glamorous Esther Williams, fitting for an event right on the beach.  With tunes from rockabilly bands The Zephyr Project and the ERT Trio.
In our third year of MDB at the Caloundra Hotel, we helped to raised funds for “Project Pink”, a nonprofit for cancer awareness, advocacy and free breast and cervical cancer screening for women living in poverty.  
Our 12 pinups took the stage in their day wear and beach wear, with props galore including an Easter Island tiki head, cupcakes, surfboards and tequila shots!    
Winner

The strong sense of comradery could be felt throughout the day with the pinups helping each other with hair and makeup, and cheering each other on.  We even arranged for the pinups to do photoshoots with classic rides and hot rods lining the main street of Caloundra, and they were spoilt for choice with over 700 cars.
I was honoured to be asked back for a third year to produce MDB as I am an advocate for pinups in Australia.  If you look back over ten years ago, the words pinup and Australia just weren’t used, there was no avenue for ladies who loved the culture to express themselves.
Now Australia has pageants at many events, showing we have embraced the culture and encourage the women who attend and
support these events.  Thanks to producers like myself, my home state of Queensland is leading the way with pageants, with more than 10 annual events where ladies take the stage and vie for varying titles and opportunities that come with those titles - such as magazine covers, being the face of future festivals, and sitting on judging panels to help shape our community.

Pinup is not just about loving the aesthetic of a bygone era (because pinup don’t live and practice the negative stereotypes of women in this era), it’s about empowering women, building confidence, meetinglikeminded people and forming lifelong friendships.
Second runner up
Runner up
It doesn’t matter if you’re into authentic vintage or reproduction, if you love rock and roll or rockabilly, there’s always a place for you on the stage so why not give it a try, because this pinup culture is here to stay.
Congratulations to all our entrants for their incredible efforts!  

Rosie Luscious – Miss Downunder Beachfest 2018

Cherry Red – Runner up

Hilly Monroe – 2nd Runner up

All photos thank to Paul from Pandom Images
 


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