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LaFayette Main Street is introducing a new pageant to the community this year, the Miss Lafayette Main Street pageant. Kids from ages 3 to 18 can register to compete to represent LMS at special events, downtown parades and other media opportunities.

After registration closed on Friday, over 40 contestants have registered for the pageant. The pageant will take place on Saturday, July 13 at the LaFayette High School Auditorium. 

According to LMS Director DeAnna Hand, many in the community have expressed a desire to see pageants return to the area. Though the county once hosted several such events, Hand said there hasn’t been one in at least 15 years.

Hand, who herself participated in pageants growing up, said the pageant has many benefits beyond just being crowned, namely networking and building up relationships that last.

“It didn’t matter if you won or not. You were never going to lose the friends that you made,” Hand said. “It taught me self-discipline, motivation, determination. I think it really brought me closer to my town and my community.”

It also instills in them a sense of giving back to the community through advocacy, service and volunteerism. 

The Miss LaFayette Main Street pageant is sponsored by Danielle Jordan, owner of the Front Porch Salon, and Rhea Prather, the owner of Ready Set Glow Tanning LLC in LaFayette, as well as the Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.

There will be three judges, each from out of town. Lyndee Williams, from Alabama Power, will serve as mistress of ceremony, and Chambers County Probate Judge Paul Story will serve as master of ceremony.

Guests will also get a chance to vote on the People’s Choice winner by making a $1 vote at the door. The event has a $10 admission fee. 

Participants will be split up into divisions by age:

Tiny Miss, ages 3-5

Little Miss, ages 6-9

Young Miss, ages 10-12 

Junior Miss, ages 13-15

Miss, ages 16-18

On the day of the pageant, stage time for the Tiny, Little and Young Miss divisions is at 2 p.m. CT and crowning is at 3:30 p.m. The stage time for the Junior Miss and Miss divisions is at 6 p.m. and crowning will be at 7 p.m. CT. 

In addition to a crown, sash and flowers, the winner of the Miss LaFayette Main Street will be showcased on a float at the LaFayette annual Christmas Parade. Hand said she also plans to spotlight the winners nationally in partnership with Main Street America. 

Small Town Nails is gifting Miss LaFayette Main Street and Junior Miss LaFayette Main Street monthly manicures and pedicures for a year.

Hand said she also hopes to see the winners attend community events such as open houses and ribbon cuttings.

Contestants do not have to be a resident of LaFayette, Hand said. She said LMS hopes the pageant will help boost the local economy by introducing the city of LaFayette to more people from around the area. 

“We really want to use this opportunity to bring people into LaFayette that have never visited here before,” Hand said. 

Hand thanked the LaFayette Main Street volunteers who have given their time and energy to put the event together.