1. ALL Miss County Contestants must be 18 through 23 and all Junior Miss County Contestants must be 14 - 17 years by October 1. All contestants must be a permanent legal resident of Independence County. Attending school or working in County does not constitute legal residency. All contestants must permanently reside in County. Contestants that participate in the County Contest may not participate in any other county fairs. Please adhere to Arkansas State Fair rules for this policy.

2. NO PROFESSIONAL MODEL (one who has been paid for modeling) is considered eligible. The contestant must have been born a female and be a legal resident of County. The contestant/queen cannot be, become or at any time have been married, engaged, annulled a marriage or pregnant, had/have children, miscarried or had an abortion. This rule applies to all contestants with special attention pertaining to the new queen in addition to the first and second runners up during the course of their reign. The contestant must have never been convicted of a crime nor have criminal charges pending.

3. Contestants in the Arkansas State Fair Queen Pageant may no longer be Contestants in the Arkansas State Fair Youth Talent Contest in the same year alternatively.

4. Previous Miss /Junior County Queens are ineligible to compete again. The winner of the Miss /Junior County pageant may not hold another title during the year of their reign. All contestants, except the winning queen are encouraged to enter the district fair competition as well as the Capital City Competition.

5. Contestants are required to be on time for all rehearsals and events. Absent or tardy contestants may be disqualified at the discretion of the Contest Director. If you are unable to attend or be on time due to an emergency, contact .

6. Miss/Junior County contestants will interview individually. The purpose of the interview will help determine the personality qualifications in addition to, speech qualities. Proper Interview attire required for this phase of the pageant. NO UNIFORMS OF ANY KIND MAY BE WORN. THE INTERVIEW IS MANDATORY OF EACH CONTESTANT. No opening and closing statements will be required and are unnecessary. This phase of the competition is private. No visitors, parents, chaperones, coaches, etc. are allowed. NO TOLERANCE.

7. The County Fair Association will not be responsible for anything STOLEN, LOST, DAMAGED, OR TORN.

8. No scores will be returned.

9. The new queen must represent the county at the State Fair Queen Pageant. The new first and second Runner-Up must participate at the district level. However, if any of the mentioned contestants are unable to attend, the
County Pageant Association will choose a delegate. All contestants, except the winning queen have the opportunity to participate at the district level. Title winners who cannot fulfill this duty will forfeit their crown, title and return all awards and repaying all monetary awards and scholarships. The pageant director will determine if the excuse is valid in being unable to fulfill this duty. Adhere to Rule #4 concerning additional titles being held while holding a title of this pageant association. Contestants are responsible for registering at both the District and State Competitions during fair week. Otherwise, the pageant association will assume no responsibility for your registration. Registration must be complete by the end of fair week and signed by the pageant director.

10. In the event a contest winner cannot, for any reason, fulfill her duties or becomes ineligible during the course of her reign, a chosen delegate will then take her place. Any display of poor sportsmanship and/or unbecoming conduct, any interference and/or disturbance, or any other behavioral problem created by a contestant, chaperone, parent, relative, or even a supporter of a contestant could result in disqualification of the contestant not only from this year’s contest but also from future contests.

11. The reigning Miss/Junior County, as well as the First and Second Runners-Up and all participating contestants, must conduct themselves properly at all times. Inappropriate behavior bringing unfavorable publicity to themselves and/or the County Pageant Association may result in the winning contestant relinquishing their title and the forfeiture and return of all prizes and monetary awards.

12. THE DIRECTORS OF THE COUNTY FAIR PAGEANT AND ARKANSAS STATE FAIR PAGEANT RESERVE THE FINAL AND ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO INTERPRET THESE RULES AND ARBITRARILY SETTLE AND DETERMINE ALL MATTERS, QUESTIONS AND DIFFERENCES IN REGARD THERETO, OR OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH, OR INCIDENT TO THE CONTEST, AND THE RIGHT TO AMMEND OR ADD TO THE RULES AS THEIR JUDGEMENT MAY DETERMINE. THE CONTEST DIRECTORS WILL DISQUALIFY ANY CONTESTANT WHO FAILS TO ABIDE BY ANY RULE THAT IS STATED OR ORALLY GIVEN, FROM THIS CONTEST, ANY FUTURE CONTEST AND THE DISTRICT AND STATE FAIR FINALS.

Competition Clothing:

Each contestant will have a private interview with the judges being assessed individually and comparatively in swimsuit and Evening Gown competitions. Contestants will need the following clothing for the contest:

Rehearsal : Contestants are free to wear comfortable clothing of good taste. Contestants should rehearse in the same shoes they will wear in each phase of the competition. The rehearsal is closed to the public. Adhere to referenced Rehearsal policy listed above. Shoes will be needed for rehearsal.

Private Interview : A suit /professional dress is required for the interview. The suit/professional dress should be one of choice that you would wear to a job interview. Interview attire MUST be professional, just as if you are interviewing for a job. Jewelry and shoes are at the contestant’s discretion but should complement the contestant. No hats, gloves or purses are allowed.

Active Wear : Active Wear should consist of a sports bra and spandex shorts, along with shoes of choice. A solid color sports bra is required as well as black spandex shorts. Contestants are encouraged to purchase this attire from Kick’s Active Wear, an official State Fair Sponsor.

Evening Gown : Evening Gowns are at the discretion of the contestant. The evening gown should be of good taste with no low backs, low fronts, open areas or high slits. Jewelry should be tasteful and compliment the gown. High-heeled shoes are recommended but not required

***Please be aware, body piercings and tattoos are unacceptable. All piercings will be removed and it is to the contestant’s best interest that all tattoos be covered and not seen at any point in the competition. Many judges will find this unbecoming in a “young lady”.

Judging

The judges will be appointed by the Pageant Association. They will be persons well qualified to judge a contest of this kind. Their decision will be final. Critiques will not be provided to anyone, nor will any contestant or any representative of a contestant, be allowed to approach the judges at any time. Please adhere to rule # 10 concerning disorderly conduct.

Royalty Duties

The new Miss Junior County and the new runners-up are expected to work at the fair following their crowning. The duties below will be expected of each contestant:

Runner – Up Responsibilities

General Rules for all royalty:

• All clothing must be of good taste. You are each an example and are expected to dress and act as such.

• Your attitude MUST be pleasant and sincere with each appearance.

• Always use good manners and respect when dealing with any of your directors, assistants, board members and the general public. Remember who and what you are.

• ALWAYS ask if your day is complete and let a contest director know prior to your departure.

• Your crown, sash and crown pin are to be on your body at each appearance you make. DO NOT wear your crown in your car. DO NOT wear your crown at any event/appearance or photo unless approved. Riding with your crown in the car results in the following: It is tall and will break.

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THE DIRECTORS OF THE COUNTY FAIR PAGEANT RESERVE THE FINAL AND ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO INTERPRET THESE RULES AND ARBITRARILY SETTLE AND DETERMINE ALL MATTERS, QUESTIONS AND DIFFERENCES IN REGARD THERETO, OR OTHERWISE ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED WITH, OR INCIDENT TO THE CONTEST, AND THE RIGHT TO AMMEND OR ADD TO THE RULES AS THEIR JUDGEMENT MAY DETERMINE. THE CONTEST DIRECTORS WILL DISQUALIFY ANY CONTESTANT WHO FAILS TO ABIDE BY ANY RULE THAT IS STATED OR GIVEN ORALLY FROM THIS CONTEST, ANY FUTRURE CONTEST, DISTRICT COMPETITION AND THE STATE FAIR FINALS.

Therefore, by signing this contract and submitting to the Miss / Junior Miss
County Pageant Organization the contestant agrees that (1) all facts and representations contained in your application/fact sheet and critical issue are true and accurate; (2) the contestant is to abide by all rules and regulations of the Miss Independence County pageant Organization described in this contract in the period before and during the year of service, and (3) the contestant meets each requirement for eligibility set forth in this contract and the Arkansas State Fair Association. In the event the Miss /Junior County Pageant Organization determines that any statement or representation by the contestant is not true and accurate or that any action by the contestant is inconsistent with the rules and regulations of the program, the Organization will have sole discretion to determine whether the Contestant will continue to participate in the pageant or remain a title holder.

I do hereby solemnly swear that the statements made in my resume are true. I am aware that if any of the statements are false (willfully) I am subject to punishment. I do hereby solemnly swear and state that I understand the penalties of violating the above-mentioned rules, regulations and policies. I also understand that during the course of my reign as Miss Independence County or a runner - up if any RULE IS VIOLATED that my title will be revoked, ALL PRIZES RETURNED AND REPAID, and a delegate chosen by the pageant association, will continue my reign for the remainder of the year.

Signed

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