While Canada Day may not be on everybody’s minds quite yet, organizers already are planning this year’s “Fun in the Sun” queen pageant and are putting out a call for contestants.
Organizer Melissa Gushulak said Friday that registration forms are available at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce office (474 Scott St.) or from last year’s royalty at Fort High (Queen Holly Strain, First Princess Paula Vangel, and Second Princess Rachel Dutton).
The deadline to sign up is Friday, April 18.
Anyone interested in participating in the FITS queen pageant should contact either Gushulak at 274-5206 or last year’s contestants to get more information.
A minimum of five contestants must be registered by the deadline or the event will not be held this year, Gushulak stressed.
Contestants are eligible if they are aged 15-18 as of May 1, 2008, have a sponsor (committing $300), and will be available to participate in community events throughout the next year (up to July 1, 2009).
Gushulak said contestants who can’t find themselves a sponsor, however, shouldn’t let that stand in their way as she’ll help them find one.
Contestants also can have two sponsors. Last year, for instance, Liz Black had Tim Hortons and Pro-Shine, so that split the sponsorship cost to $150 each, noted Gushulak.
For those unfamiliar with the annual pageant, Gushulak said it’s a great opportunity for young women to meet new people, get involved in the community, and perhaps do some things they haven’t done before, like public speaking or performing on stage.
Gushulak wants to line up the contestants early this year in order to get them involved in more activities prior to the July 1 crowning.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
