By Jacquelyn Walsh   jwalsh@dnronline.com

Twenty of Harrisonburg and Rockingham’s finest men will get together this Saturday and instead of playing poker or watching sports on TV, they’ll dress up as women — for a good cause, of course.

The womanless beauty pageant, put on by Timberview Crossing Assisted Living’s team for the upcoming Memory Walk in October, will benefit the Alzheimer’s Assocation.

Their goal is to raise $2,500 from this event, says Peggy Merica, activity director at Timberview Crossing Assisted Living. The organizers will also sell concessions and raffle off baskets with items donated by the community to help raise money.

Five judges will moderate the event, judging the contestants in four areas: stage presence, talent, answering questions and going out into the audience to collect donations.

Rockingham County Sheriff Don Farley will be known as Rocky Rockette for the evening, and his talent won’t be unveiled until the show, but it’s a “talent to behold,” he says.

“I’ve done some work with Alzheimer’s over the years. At one time I served closely with the board and it’s a really good cause. I decided that if I was going to embarrass myself, I was going to do it to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association,” said Farley, who’s worked with Alzheimer’s patients during his law enforcement career. “When there’s an afflicted person with Alzheimer’s, law enforcement gets involved. We’ve had many searches over the years where we’ve found many people.”

Josh Knight, weekend meteorologist and reporter for WHSV, was recommended by one of his anchors. “I wasn’t sure at first but then I thought, ‘Hey, why not? It’s for a good cause. I’ll have some fun with it,’” says Knight. “I love doing this kind of stuff.”

Knight hopes to have help from other reporters to get ready, he says and a friend plans to put on his makeup.

“She said it would take about 30 minutes, so I guess there’s a lot of work to be done,” said Knight, laughing. “I think it’ll be a lot of fun.”

The event will also feature music from Doyle Moats Jr. and karaoke, says Merica.

“We’re hoping that a lot of people will turn out for this because it’s for a great cause,” she adds. “One out of three people will get this disease; if it’s not you it will most likely be one of your family members or friends. We need to find a cure for this now. The community coming out to support this would be really great.”

The pageant will be at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, at the Timberville Community Center. It’s $5 for admission. Each beauty pageant contender will be collecting extra donations from audience members. All proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Association.