Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for May 10, 2004

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, May 10, 2004 | 9:33 a.m.

Lisa Ferguson's Laugh Lines column appears Fridays. Her Sun Lite Column appears Mondays. Reach her at lmsferguson@yahoo.com.

Gettin' jiggly with it

What parent doesn't think their kid has what it takes to be a winner? Moms and Pops can put the theory -- and their youngsters' creativity -- to test with the help of three national contests.

First up: The makers of Jell-O are combing the country in search of pint-sized comedians to participate in the company's Jiggle & Giggle Contest, which is being held to commemorate comedy giant Bill Cosby's 30th anniversary as the slippery dessert's spokesman.

Parents should make a video or DVD (no more than five minutes in length) of their cute cut-up, age 7 through 10, showing off one "jiggle"-inspired movement and telling a "giggle"-inducing joke. There's no time to clown around, however: Entries must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern time on May 17 in care of the contest, 41 Madison Ave., 5th Floor, New York, NY 10010.

What does the best jiggler/giggler win? A trip for four to the Big Apple, including a visit to the Jell-O Museum in LeRoy, N.Y., where they'll meet Cosby and undoubtedly float -- as do apples, bananas, sliced peaches and strawberries -- in Jell-O-related trivia.

Step up to the plate

Speaking of floats and New York City, consider having the little ones enter Dixie's Krazy Kritters Create a Place Contest. As the name implies, the paper-products company wants a new, limited-edition design to feature next year in its line of Krazy Kritters children's plates.

The contest is open to kids age 4 through 10, whose parents download an entry form and a design template from www.dixiefun.com. Entries (postmarked by Sept. 1) must be received by Sept. 8 in care of the contest, P.O. Box 14090, Bridgeport, CT 06673-4090.

The Dixie folks -- after pondering the issues of originality, creativity and the ease of which a design can be transferred onto a plate -- will choose 200 designs and select the grand-prize winner of a trip for four to NYC to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade, in which a Krazy Kritter float will be featured.

Thinking outside the box

While the shelf life of Twinkies may seem indefinite, the expiration date for the Twinkies Celebrates 75 Years of Fun contest is fast approaching.

Although the spongy, cream-filled cakes turned the big 7-4 last month, Interstate Brands Corporation (which bakes the goodies for Hostess) is already making plans for Twinkies' next birthday. The company is asking kids age 6 through 11 to break out their crayons, colored pencils, makers and paints and create a handmade design -- don't even think about using a computer for this one -- to be featured on Twinkies' special 75th birthday box, which will be sold nationwide.

Download an entry form by visiting the Planet Twinkie Web site (www.twinkies.com). Entries and drawings must be postmarked by May 21 and sent in care of the contest to 4700 Belleview, Suite 100, Kansas City, MO, 64112. Designs will be measured on their appropriateness to the contest's theme; originality and creativity; and "fun and appeal."

In August, 10 designs will be selected and posted on the Web site; those finalists will receive college scholarships, a bicycle and a Twinkie prize pack, which includes exactly 10 Twinkies, a commemorative T-shirt and a plush toy. The Web-surfing public will cast votes on the site and chose the grand-prize-winning box design, which will be announced on Twinkies' April 6 birthday.