Hollister
– It was a close battle Sunday as 12 women vied for the 2007
Miss Hollister Rally title at the main stage on Fifth Street.
And then Jennifer Riggs brought out the folding chair.
Hollister – It was a close battle Sunday as 12 women vied for the 2007 Miss Hollister Rally title at the main stage on Fifth Street.
And then Jennifer Riggs brought out the folding chair.
The 45-year-old Attitudes and Images hairstylist blew away the crowd, showing off her quarter sleeve arm tattoos in a self-choreographed dance routine to Rob Zombie’s version of “Brick House.”
Apparently she impressed the judges, too.
Riggs took home the pink sash and 2007 Miss Hollister Rally title.
“She’s the hottest 45-year-old woman we’ve ever met,” said her friend, Julie Escobar, as she waited backstage.
A Hollister resident of seven years, Riggs said she entered the competition to represent women in their 40s, a self-proclamation often repeated by the master of ceremonies, Salinas radio DJ Joey Martinez.
“I can’t believe I won!” Riggs said.
For Riggs, the competition was a way to revisit a passion. Riggs was a ballerina starting at age 5.
Judge Peter Serracino said Riggs’ dance portion of the competition sold him.
“I think she’ll represent the spirit of the rally,” Serracino said.
Marshal and former City Councilman Robbie Scattini, another judge, said being a “biker chick” was a must.
She doesn’t have a ride yet, but that could change soon.
“I love bikers,” Riggs said. “I’m going to get a motorcycle and learn how to ride.”
Martinez, the midday DJ for the K-Ocean radio station, introduced the contestants and gave brief biographies during the dance competition.
Manny Arreola, a Hollister resident who watched the competition, said he particularly enjoyed listening to the contestants’ answers for why they should win.
“It was better than I thought it was going to be,” Arreola said.
But he said he thought a new emcee and better organization would improve the contest in 2008.
Miss Hollister Rally organizer Stephanie Tyson-Flyn said she had gotten positive feedback about the competition.
Next year, Tyson-Flyn would like to hold the contest on Saturday rather than Sunday, she said, “so that the winner can introduce herself to the visitors in town.”
