Do you have what it takes to clean up?

A Fremont woman is hoping to help start John C. Fremont Days with a bang -- umm, make that a spray, wipe, vacuum, dust and sweep.

John C. Fremont Days board member Nan Cunningham is adding a new contest to the Friday afternoon lineup kicking off the annual festival at the Chautauqua Tent.

The Domestic Goddess (or Domestic God) Contest is “an opportunity for men and women of all ages to dress up in their wildest house cleaning outfits,” Cunningham said. “Props are welcome.”

The idea was suggest to her by Sherry Beam Clark, and Cunningham said loved the idea right away.

“It’s something that can be a little fun, something different,” Cunningham said. “We are asking people to put together wild and crazy costumes. People can enter alone or as a pair or as a team. People will be introduced on stage, and the emcee will talk about their outfits. There will be a couple of judges.”

She said Prescilla Wilson is coordinating the event, which is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. July 10. Anyone entering the contest should be there to register at 3 p.m.

Cunningham said she can imagine someone using a wild west theme to go with the festival’s historic content and having cleaning supplies in gun holsters or someone in a more formal outfit with cleaning supplies wrapped around a shoulder where a beauty pageant banner would be or a group of cheerleaders who create a cheer for cleaning or a rapper who raps about cleaning.

“People can think of all the cleaning products you use and come up with a way to integrate that into a costume,” she said. “There’s no limit on the ideas and imagination. I say the wilder the better. The bottom line is that this is to be fun and entertaining.”

She said this idea was created to add a different element to the events.

“We have a lot of historic events and musicians and dancers. We wanted to do something different and fun.”

There is no limit on the number of people or groups competing in the contest, and competitors are encouraged to come up with special names for their costumes, she said, adding the Domestic Goddess (or Domestic God) Contest is the only contest to be held in the Chautauqua Tent during the festival.

Cunningham said she enjoys coordinating events in the tent.

“My goal with the tent is to have activities for all age groups,” she said. “It’s a fun gig. I love this. One way to keep it fresh is to pull in some new ideas. I think this is one of those. We’ll have the regular events that people expect, but adding something new to the mix can keep it special.”

The Chautauqua Tent is special to her.

“When Don (her husband) and I first moved here, this was one of my favorite parts of the festival,” she said. “So, when I had the opportunity to get involved with it, it was a no brainer.

“We love Fremont. We want to do our part. This is a big deal. It’s a big event. I love doing this. It’s been great.”

The 23rd annual John C. Fremont Days festival is July 10-12.