TLC’s Toddlers & Tiaras to Film Episode in Clarksville Tennessee

Clarksville, TN – Get ready for all the sequins and sass you can handle; TLC’s primetime hit, “Toddlers & Tiaras” will be filming an episode in Clarksville on March 23rd.

The episode, which will air in the fall of 2013, will feature contestants from all over the region competing to win the Ultimate Supreme title in the “Me and My Pet: Down on the Farm” Pageant and take home the super-sized trophy and cash prizes.

Each youth will also compete for titles within their appropriate age category, with contestants ranging from 0-20 for girls and 0-7 for boys. The pageant is part of the Mid-America Pageants System.

“These contestants compete in different categories; it’s mandatory to compete in their pageant dress (which we call beauty wear), they then change and compete in western wear or something country, and then as a extra option, they will compete with their pet, and its not just a dog or a cat…you will see all kinds of animals on stage with these little beauty queens and kings,” said Jill Worley with Mid-America Pageants. “We are hoping for the best of the best to be on the stage in Clarksville and that it will one of the best shows during season six of TLC’s ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’.”

Along with the 40 crown-seeking contestants, Clarksville-Montgomery County will be welcoming a full television film crew, ready to document the pageant from beginning to end and everything in between.

“We always welcome opportunities like this, to bring in film crews, visitors and event attendees to come enjoy Clarksville, especially when they may have never had a chance to visit before,” said Geno Grubbs, Chairman of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We have also had very successful relationships with production companies in the past and those have led to shows, like ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’, choosing to film in Clarksville.”

One of the more successful filming experiences that Grubbs is referring to is the Lifetime series, “Coming Home” that was filmed in Clarksville in early 2011. The show not only displayed the heartwarming stories of soldiers coming home for surprise visits, but it also gave Clarksville, Montgomery County and Fort Campbell a large amount of airtime and positive publicity.

The pageant will not only bring in the 40 contestants, but also their families, coaches and the multi-person film crew assigned to tape the episode. The economic impact of that weekend is estimated to be over $45,000.

[320left]Along with that, the mention on Clarksville-Montgomery County on one episode of a high level cable channel can have an ad value equivalency of over $50,000. Shows like this are also a great benefit to hoteliers, such as the host hotel Hilton Garden Inn, as they help to promote their brand to a national viewing audience through the show.

Fans of the show know that “Toddlers & Tiaras” can bring out not only the big hair and make up, but the mama drama that goes along with pageants as well (sorry, no appearance by Honey Boo Boo this time). Those interested in attending the Saturday pageant and maybe having their shot at being on TV can purchase tickets at the door for $15.00 each. The “Me and My Pet” Pageant, which is a full glitz pageant, will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn, 290 Alfred Thun Road, from 10:00am to 4:30pm.

“Watching the show be filmed is very interesting; to be able to see what you see in person and see how they cut and edit just to show certain parts. These types of pageants are entertaining, it’s not just a little girl or little boy walking onto the stage hitting her x’s and walking off…they will have full routines they have been practicing,” said Worley.