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Children all over the area toted their biggest and most colorful stuffed animals to the Talley-Ward Recreation Center Thursday for the Annual Stuffed Animal Pageant.

This event hosted by the Morristown Parks and Recreation Department had kids ages 5 through 12 piled in the center with their favorite stuffed animal in hopes of snagging the grand prize ribbon.

Jason Phipps, Tally Ward Center supervisor, hosted the event and provided fun commentary that made the kids bust out in continues laughter.

The prestigious judges for the pageant were Lisa Grooms and Chris Wylie.

The kids brought their stuffed animal to be judged based on the different categories. Categories for the event included Fuzziest, Life Size, Action Hero, Do you Hear Me (smallest ears), Howdy Partner, and Hide and seek (smallest stuffed animal).

For the ‘Hard Knock Life’ category kids brought up stuffed animals who were in rough shape. Kids told stories about how their animals were bitten, missing eyes and how one was ran over by a car.

Phipps asked participants to bring up any animal who would enjoy the beach for the ‘Life’s a Beach’ category and every single kid ran up to show how their stuffed friend loved the beach.

The mini me category asked for stuffed animals who looked just like their owners. A child with a unicorn onesie and her stuffed unicorn, a Pikachu stuffed plush and her owner rocking a Pokémon shirt, and a unicorn and owner with matching Nirvana shirts were among the many participants for this category.

First place, second place and third place ribbons were given out for each category.

For the grand winner, judges tallied up points for each category. First place was worth 5 points, second place was worth 3 points, and third place was worth 1 point.

Each participant regardless of points took home a certificate of celebration for participating in the pageant.

Gracie Barnard, a returning winner, took home the grand prize ribbon and was awarded a $30 dollar gift certificate from Pizza Plus.

Barnard’s unicorn stuffed animal was life size and also worked in a factory, played guitar for Kurt Cobain and also could turn into a car.