Applications are due Friday, May 9 for contestants wishing to become the next Saline County Queen and her court.

Girls from age three to women age 22 are eligible to compete in the annual contest that takes place during the Saline County BBQ. Contest organizer Brittni Burton explains what contestants must include with their application.

The Little Miss contests will have four divisions by age, while the princess contest will feature girls ages 11 to 13, junior queen for ages 14 to 16, and senior queen for ages 17 to 22. Burton notes that the winner of the senior queen crown is eligible to represent Saline County in the Missouri State Fair Queen Pageant. She adds that area businesses are encouraged to sponsor contestants by covering their entry fee.

The Saline County Queen Contest will begin at 7 p.m. on June 7, the evening of the Saline County BBQ. Burton adds that princess and queen contestants will have the interview portion of their contest that morning. Additional details about the contest, including how to submit applications before Friday’s deadline, are available on the Saline County Fairgrounds website.