Poinsett County Fair Board has selected new directors for this year's Miss Poinsett County Fair Queen Pageant and a $500 scholarship to the Queen winner of the Miss Division is just one of several changes made to this year's pageant.

In a quest to increase participation, the pageant will return the traditional format of "Top 10" finalists in each division with a queen and two alternates chosen.

Tiny Miss and La Petite Miss queens will receive a four inch rhinestone crown, 21" marble base trophy and banner. Little Miss and Young Miss queens will receive a five inch rhinestone crown, 21" marble base trophy and banner. Jr. Miss Queen will receive a five and a half inch Rhinestone Crown, 21" 21" marble base trophy and banner. Queen of Miss Division will receive an eight inch rhinestone crown, 21" marble base trophy, a $500 Scholarship and banner.

All first alternate winners will receive a 19" marble base trophy and a banner. The second alternate winners will receive a 17" marble base trophy and a banner. The remaining seven finalists in each division will receive a traditional finalist trophy.

The pageant will be held Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Harrisburg School Center for the Arts Building with registration at 12 p.m. and the pageant beginning at 1 p.m. The entry fee is $20 and optional photogenic entry fee is $10.

Practice will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9 and entry forms will be due at that time. Late applications will be accepted during registration with a $10 late fee.

The practice schedule will be as follows: Tiny Miss -- 11 a.m., La Petite Miss - 11:30 a.m., Little Miss -- 12 p.m., Junior Miss -- 1 p.m., Miss - 1:30 p.m.

More information can be obtained by contacting Tonya Cole at (870) 578-9475 or 870-578-7421, Shayna Cole at (870) 578-7304 or Carolyn Roland at (870) 578-2242 or (870) 578-5482. Those with questions may also email 2coleme@sbcglobal.net or visit the website at www.misspoinsettcountyfairqueenpageant.w.... Applications will also be available at area businesses such as banks and beauty shops.