The 3rd Annual Miss Hope Mills Cotton Pageant is set for Friday, Sept. 29, and Saturday, Sept. 30, with contestants 3-9 years old competing Friday and 10-22 years old competing Saturday. The pageant starts at 6:30 p.m. each evening at South View High School at 4184 Elk Rd. Here are the details to assist you in enjoying this annual event.

Age groups: Contestants are between the ages of 3 and 22 years of age. They are broken up into appropriate age groups based on ages: Wee Miss (3-5), Jr. Miss (6-9), Young Miss (10-12), Teen Miss (13-16), Miss Cotton (17-22).

Awards: The pageant is judged in divisions based on participant’s age group. A trophy, crown and banner are awarded to the winner in each category. First, second and third runnerups in each category are also awarded a trophy.

Sponsorship Award: A sponsorship award is given to the top contestant who raised the most sponsor money overall. This person receives a crown, trophy and banner. The other top four in this category also receive a trophy.

Judges: Judges are from the surrounding area. Contestants are judged based on the criteria of the pageant. The judge’s decision will be final. The judges’ score sheets will not be given to contestants on the night of the pageant; however, they can be picked up on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the Hope Mills Recreation Center. The score sheets will be destroyed on Friday, Oct. 20, if not picked up.

 

Photographer: There will be a photographer on-site to take pictures. A Miss Photogenic is named the night of the pageant by the photographer and receives a trophy. 

Interviews: Contestants in the age groups 13–16 and 17–22 have an onstage question that will be added to their score. Questions may come from the pageant application or from other sources chosen by the pageant committee.

People’s Choice Award: Vote for your favorite contestant by purchasing a flower and placing it in the vase provided with the contestant’s name. The winner will be announced on Saturday night. The People’s Choice Award winner will receive the flowers from the vase plus the cash of the amount of flowers purchased in their vase only. Other contestants will receive their vase and flowers.

Admission: Admission to the pageant costs $5 per person when paid at the door. You may purchase advance tickets at the Hope Mills Recreation Center up until Wednesday, Sept. 27, by 8 p.m. Each contestant is given one ticket for a parent or friend.

For more information, call (910) 426-4109.