Despite having to bail out neighboring Dubai and its billion-dollar bust-up, the oil rich Emirate of Abu Dhabi is still managing to have some fun.
Next month, the tiny petro-state will host the annual “Ms. Camel Contest” — a beauty pageant for the desert beasts in which the humped creatures are judged for the “grace of their necks, shape of their noses and style of their hair”.
Officially dubbed the 2010 Al-Dhafra Festival, the event will see camels sashay down runways much like canines at the Westminster Kennel Show — with some $10 million in prizes available to the most beautiful beasts.
Last year’s show saw some 24,000 camels in competition and this year even more are expected. And new categories are launching too; including one for the animal “which produces the most milk”.
The whole thing is sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage.
All we can say is — can’t wait for the swimsuit issue.