Sign-up Dates Approaching for Mint Fest Pageant

 Application distribution dates are approaching for the Mint Festival pageant, and Festival Committee Member Teresa Trout said the committee has been working hard to get the event planning wrapped up. The committee is currently taking applications and have set aside five days this month to distribute applications at the North Judson Public Library and the Starke County Public Library.

Pageant sign-up sheets are available today at the Starke County Public Library from 2 to 4 p.m. The sign-up sheets will also be available at the library in Knox on May 10 from 3 to 5 p.m., and on May 11, sign-ups will take place at the North Judson Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon. On May 13, the North Judson Public Library will once again host sign-ups from 5 to 7 p.m.

The libraries will offer a drop-box that can be used to drop off the paperwork if a contestant picks up the sign-up sheet and takes it home. Sign-ups must be received by May 31.

Trout said last year’s pageant queen has been working closely with the committee and has gotten quite a few people together to hold a class on May 18 at the library in North Judson from 1 to 3 p.m., offering contestants the chance to learn what to expect at the pageant, how to put on their makeup, how to walk, what they should wear, and how they should talk to help them have a better overall pageant experience.

The committee is currently holding a fundraiser for the pageant, offering scratch-off booklets with various coupons from different companies. The scratch-offs cost $20, but Trout said the booklets easily make up for the cost with savings.

The pageant will take place at the North Judson-San Pierre High School auditorium on June 7 at 6 p.m. Contestants are encouraged to be there by 4 p.m. for a rehearsal, and for those who wish to help decorate, arrive at the auditorium at 2 p.m. to help out.