This weekend the Fayette County High School Band Boosters will sponsor their annual benefit event, the Miss Pride of Fayette County Pageant. This is the 38th year that the pageant has been held to raise money for the FCHS Band, which will be traveling to Pasadena, Calif. next year to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade.

The pageant will give young women from the age of 3 to seniors in high school to prove why they are the pride of Fayette County.
Over 130 contestants are expected to participate in the pageant this year, making it one of the largest contests of its kind in the state. Contestants compete for a crown and prizes, including a savings bond and gifts donated by local merchants. The winner will participate in several parades and some public appearances during her reign. Previous winners of the Miss Pride of Fayette County pageant have gone on to be crowned Miss Teen Georgia and even Miss Georgia.

The pageant is open to all girls who reside in Fayette County ages 3-4 and grades K-12. Possible contestants must reside in Fayette County and be 3 years old by Nov. 1. The cost to enter is $40. Applications are available each year at Fayette County High School.

Pageant director Sandy Mandall returns for her third year. Mandall has helped her daughters compete in pageants in the past taking several state titles along the way. She can be reached at misspride2006@bellsouth.net or by phone at 770-716-1996.

As is the tradition, the Miss Pride pageant is being held the first weekend in March. This year’s pageant will take on a country tone with Keith Sharp, a talented singer and actor, acting as the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Sharp will field questions to the young contestants who are also judged on poise, personality, beauty and confidence. Four of the five queens from 2005 will perform at the pageants, the 2005 Tiny Miss will not perform due to time constraints during that particular pageant.
Over $8,500 was raised last year and proceeds from this year’s event will help with the expenses the band will incur during their trip to the Rose Bowl.

The pageant is being held at Sam’s Auditorium. Tickets are $6 or $10 for both nights and are available at the door.

On Friday evening, the Jr. Miss Pride pageant begins at 8 p.m. Saturday’s event begins at 10:00 a.m. with Miss Tiny Pride, 3- 4 years; 1:30 p.m., Miss Little Pride, K - 2nd grade; 4:30 p.m., Miss Young Pride, 3rd - 5th grade; and the Miss Pride, 9th - 12th grade will begin at 8 p.m.

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