It’s that time of year again, the time for Dallas County beauties to sign up for one of the four Central Alabama Fair Pageants. Applications for the pageants, which include the Tiny Miss (ages 3-4), Little Miss (ages 5-6), Junior Miss (ages 13-16) and Miss Central Alabama Fair Pageant (ages 17-21), became available Aug. 1 and will be accepted until Aug. 31.

Rachel Graham, the assistant pageant director said while there is still a month left to sign up, the space is limited so applicants should sign up early.

“In the Tiny Miss and Little Miss, we only have enough room for 25 girls in each of those pageants, and we have to turn people away every year. They fill up really fast,” Graham said. “In the Junior Miss and the Miss categories, we allot room for 30 (participants). For those we have not had to turn away people in the past, but the earlier they get their entry forms in, the better.”

Applications are available on the Central Alabama Fair’s Facebook page and website.

Graham noted the pageant is not a glitz pageant but a natural pageant, meaning in the Tiny Miss and Little Miss, they ask for no makeup, no hairpieces and no flippers.

Contestants in the Tiny Miss and Little Miss should wear an heirloom or Sunday dress, and contestants in the Junior Miss and Miss pageants should sport an age-appropriate evening gown.

“Every contestant also receives a trophy,” Graham said, “because it is important to us that each girl knows that she is special just for participating.”

Graham noted more importantly, the pageant offers an opportunity to meet other girls from the community and make memories that will last a lifetime.

“We are excited to announce that the winner from both the Junior and Miss pageants will be offered paid entry to the Alabama Junior/High/Collegiate America Pageant,” she said.

Graham noted the applicants for the Junior Miss pageant must submit a written interview with the application and applicants for the Miss pageant must submit a resume

Costs to enter the pageants are as follows: Miss is $85, Junior Miss is $75 and Little Miss and Tiny Miss are $50.

Applications must be printed and mailed to 113 Pine Forrest Drive, Selma.

For more information on the pageants or applications visit the Central Alabama Fair’s Facebook page or contact pageant directors Tracie Haskell at 875-7327 or Melissa Vardaman at 412-1965.