BELFAST — Shannon Hopkins, the founder of AcceptableME, is proud to announce she will be hosting “A Day to Love Yourself” event Sunday, June 6 at The Belfast Center on Field Street in Belfast. 

Hopkins, a Camden resident, is poised to compete as Miss Knox County in June at the Miss Maine competition, where the winner of the summer event will represent the state in the Miss America competition.

The event is serving as a fundraiser for the Miss Maine Scholarship Program on behalf of Hopkins. 

During her time as Miss Knox County, Hopkins is using her platform to promote body positivity for herself and the community.

“I want it to be known that I’m standing up to break stereotypes based on weight and body image in today's society,” she said in a recent interview, noting she has spoken with more than 200 women about body image perceptions and struggles.

“I feel as society has placed such a standard stereotype on being ‘big’ or ‘too small.’ Why can’t someone just be confident in being themselves and others be okay with a person loving themselves or looking a certain way? Why does it always have to be about losing weight and dieting, or anorexia and bulimia? Why can’t we promote a world that is focused on accepting individuals the way they are and to prevent the self-conscious minds of individuals.”

After speaking with the women, Hopkins concluded it would be important to base her Miss Maine candidacy around body positivity — a decision she acknowledges is not only for herself, but the other Mainers struggling to find their place in accepting themselves and others accepting them by being their true authentic selves.

The event will run from noon to 5 p.m. and is open to individuals of all body types, ages, comfort levels, and sexual orientation. 

The event will feature food, self-empowerment activities, raffles, giveaways and studio time with photographer Jessica Michael. 

“Join us for an event based on being beautiful, breaking out of your comfort zone, being bold, and most importantly being yourself,” said Hopkins. “Together we will break stereotypes through this powerful uplifting event.” 

Cost for the event is $20 for adults, $10 for kids or $40 for a family of up to five. 

To register, click here.