Entries for the second annual Miss Wilkes County Pageant set for September 27 are due no later than September 17. Interest is growing for the upcoming Second Annual Miss Wilkes County Pageant, set for September 27 at the Pope Center, said Ashley Barnett, who is co-directing the event with Ed Franklin.

Parents of little boys are showing interest, Barnett said, in the new division this year. "We're including all our handsome little guys - Little Mister Wilkes County for boys age 4-6 years and Tiny Mister Wilkes County for boys ages 2-3 years."

She said a local merchant is offering help to spiff up local little boys. "Mike Scarborough is offering a special discount on tuxedos for little guys, just for the pageant."

As it was last year, the pageant is split into age groups, with contestants from 12 months to 6 years competing at 11 a.m. and the 7- to 18-year-olds beginning at 7 p.m.

Barnett is excited about the second year of the pageant. "There were 52 contestants in the pageant last year, which was the first pageant here in about 20 years," she said. "We had a wonderful time and it was a great experience for all of the contestants."

In addition to the new boys' classes, pageant divisions will be: Baby Miss 0-11 months; Toddler Miss 12-23 months; Tiny Miss, 2-3 years; Little Miss 4-6 years; Petite Miss 7-9 years; Deb Miss 10-12 years; Teen Miss 13-15 years; and Miss 16-18 years old.

Entry fees for the pageant include the $25 mandatory beauty pageant fee. Optional competitions include Photogenic, Prettiest Smile, and Best Dressed, which are each $5 additional. Admission will be $5 for adults, and $3 for children five and under.

There will also be a no-charge People's Choice Picture competition. "At the pageant everyone can vote for their favorite contestant for $1 per vote," Barnett said. "The contestant who receives the most cash votes wins a cash award, so bring all your friends and family to the pageant to vote for you!"

Barnett said that the People's Choice contest has no effect on the outcome of the pageant. "The cash award will be awarded at the end of the pageant, and judges will not know the outcome beforehand." Pageant organizers will need a picture of every contestant for this event. All pictures will be featured in the lobby of the Pope Center.

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, September 17. Contact Ashley Barnett at 706-678-2013 or email misswilkescountypageant@yahoo. com with any questions.

The application are available online at www.MissWilkesCountyPageant. com or may be picked up at Bee Southern, Talk of the Town, Tena's Jewelry and Gifts, or at the Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce located on The Square.

Barnett said that the pageant is also seeking sponsorships and will be selling ad pages for the program.