Deadline to enter Miss Putnam County contest approaching

The deadline to enter the Miss Putnam County Fair Queen Pageant is approaching for the 2015 contest.

Those interested in participating in the contest must have the $100 entry fee and entry form turned in by 4 p.m. Friday, May 15 to the Putnam County Purdue Extension Office. The entry fee can be made payable to Putnam County 4-H Fair Board, preferably by the contestant's sponsor in the form of an organization, business or individual.

The Miss Putnam County Fair Queen contest is set for July 11 at 7 p.m. at the Putnam County Community Building. The queen will be crowned by 2014 Miss Putnam County Brittany Birt.

Committee Chair Rachel Wilson explained there will be a series of workshops hosted during the summer which will help the participants with the competition in July and provide real world experience. Some of the workshops will focus on picking the best colors and styles to compliment natural beauty, make-up application, interviewing techniques, etiquette, modeling and confidence building.

"This helps with college and job interview practice in a safe environment," Wilson said previously, noting this will also provide practice for public speaking.

Per Indiana State Fair guidelines, each contestant must be at least 18 yearsold, but not reached 22 by June 1, 2016.

Contestants are required to at least be in their third year in the Putnam County 4-H program, or previously completed at least three years in Putnam County. Contestants can live in nearby counties, but must have completed a majority of their activities in Putnam County 4-H.

Participants cannot be married, previously been married, must not have children or be knowingly pregnant at the time of the county or state fair contests. Professional models are not eligible for the contest. Requirements define a professional model as someone who earns her livelihood through modeling.

In order to maintain eligibility, the participant is expected to attend all of the meetings and workshops to prepare for the contest. One meeting can be missed if it is preauthorized by the committee. Meeting dates are May 23; June 3, 10, 17, 20 and 24; and July 1, 8 and 10.

The contestants will judged on several categories, including a personal interview, professional wear, formal wear and impromptu on-stage question. In addition the participants will be judged on their etiquette and ability to converse with the judges at the sponsor meal.

The winner will be the host for activities during the week of the fair July 17-25, and will go on to represent Putnam County in the 2015 Miss Indiana State Fair Queen Pageant in January. If the winner becomes ineligible before the state contest, the first runner-up will take the title.

"This is an opportunity to expand their horizons and grow as a young woman," Wilson said about the importance of the competition.

There will be a registration form in an upcoming edition of the Banner Graphic. Contact Wilson at 721-7477 or by email at rachel.g.wilson@gmail.com to obtain a form. Wilson noted the form must be typed upon submission.