Girls from around Schuylkill County will begin their road to royalty this weekend as the 47th Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival begins.
Snowflake and Queen of the Snows contestants will get the pageantry started on Princess Saturday. The princesses will be available for meet-and-greets at the local malls and in downtown Pottsville, and the girls will be selling the 2014 Winter Carnival button featuring this year's theme, "Once Upon A Time."
Nancy Roberts, Snowdrop/Snowflake pageant chairwoman, said the Snowflake contestants will be at the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville, from 10 a.m. to noon and the Queen contestants will be stationed at the Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All the contestants will be in downtown Pottsville from 1 to 2 p.m.
The Snowflake contestants are juniors in area high schools, while the women vying for the title of Queen of the Snows range in age from 18 to 29.
Roberts said the event is a chance for the girls to meet the contestants with whom they will share this unique experience.
"It's just a nice day to really get to know each other," Roberts said.
She added that the buttons have been sold for $1 in previous years.
On Sunday, the Snowflake contestants will hold their fashion show at 7 p.m. at Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville. In addition to showing off on the runway, the girls will face questions from the judges.
The contestants will perform for the judges again on Wednesday at the Snowflake costume fashion show. Held at 6 p.m. at Boscov's auditorium in the Fairlane Village mall, the girls will wear costumes representing what makes them special or their future career goals. They will also perform a skit for the judges.
The Snowdrop contestants - girls in second and third grades - make their first public appearance Jan. 18 at their fashion show. The show, scheduled for 2 p.m. at Boscov's auditorium, is not a typical fashion show, according to Carole Lee, director of the Snowdrops.
Lee said there are no guidelines for how the girls dress. While some girls wear formal dresses, many contestants over the years have taken a creative approach to their attire. Lee said she has seen girls dress as their favorite American Girl doll, Tinkerbell and even the Elf on the Shelf.
"It's amazing how creative some of the girls and moms are," Lee said.
The contestants will also have to answer questions as the show is a judged event.
"It's a worthwhile little show to watch," Lee said.
The Snowdrops and Snowflakes will gather together on Feb. 1 for their pageant at Pottsville Area High School. Scheduled for 7 p.m., the Snowdrops will kick off the event followed by the crowning of the Snowflake Princess. Roberts said an intermission with entertainment is being planned.
Following Princess Saturday, the Queen contestants will hold their fashion show at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at Mountain Valley Golf Course.
The girls will be judged again Jan. 31 at Yuengling Night hosted at 9 p.m. by Humane Fire Company, Pottsville. According to Dee Boris, coordinator of the Queen of Snows, the girls will have to answer situational or unique questions. T.J. Fitzpatrick will serve as master of ceremonies.
Boris said one of her favorite parts of the carnival is seeing the girls' growth in self confidence.
"I always tell the girls, I think there are skills and the experience they gain really help them after Winter Carnival," Boris said.
The carnival will conclude with the crowning of the Queen of the Snows on Feb. 8 at Pottsville Area High School.
A special event for all girls participating in Winter Carnival events is the Royal Tea on Jan. 25. Held at the Yuengling Mansion, Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, the girls will enjoy a tea party with the reigning princesses and queen. Two parties are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
So far, Roberts said there are 30 Snowdrop and 25 Snowflake contestants. Boris said 18 girls have signed up for the Queen of the Snows competition.
Despite there being only one winner, Boris said the girls gain valuable experience and friendships from participating in the Winter Carnival.
"It's a nice time to get away from the winter doldrums and have something fun to do," Boris said.