The people have spoken, and a new Mr. South Whidbey has been crowned.
Billy McCabe, a baker at Seabiscuit Bakery, received the ultimate honor at the end of the lively pageant held Oct. 7 to raise funds for Friends of Friends Medical Support, a South Whidbey nonprofit.
McCabe earned the most votes out of the five contestants this year, which earned him the title. Contestants raised a total of $25,000 this year, according to Kristi Price, the president of the nonprofit.
As part of the male pageant, contestants present a special talent to the audience. McCabe began with a juggling act but then quit in the middle of it to auction off three cakes: chocolate flan cake, chocolate rum carrot cake and lemon blueberry pound cake.
“I’m not really a stage guy, so I distracted them with food and an auction,” McCabe said.
He contributes his success in winning to the many other desserts he auctioned off this summer and fall for votes.
John LaVassar, the 2022 winner, passed the crown to McCabe, who wore his signature red apron while performing.
“In the end, I was way out of my wheelhouse to begin with, but I had a ton of fun,” said McCabe, who was initially hesitant about being “voluntold” to participate in Mr. South Whidbey 2023.
Other contestants this year include Joe Moreno, Steve Lamb, Randy Landon and Flynt Davies.