Jaclyn Hoffman, New Ringgold, the 2007 queen of the Schuylkill County fair, is taking on a new role at the event this year, fair royalty adviser.
And she needs some contestants.
"I only have one confirmed Little Miss contestant at the moment," Hoffman said Friday.
The deadline to enter the contest is July 6.
This year will be the 30th consecutive year the Schuylkill County Fair has been held. Meanwhile, it will be the 27th non-consecutive year for the royalty pageant.
The fair is scheduled from July 29 to Aug. 3, according to the fair's website at schuylkillfair.com. But events related to fair royalty will begin the week before.
Contestants will gather to promote the event at a Mini Carnival Night at Fairlane Village mall, Pottsville, slated from 5 to 7 p.m. July 26.
This is the fifth year for the Mini Carnival, which fair organizers started in 2009 in an effort to promote the county fair.
"This the first time that the contestants get together and play games with children that come to the mall. There will also be a small Basket Raffle. The public is welcome," Hoffman said.
Contestants will flock to the fairgrounds in Summit Station from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27 for a "Royalty Bash," Hoffman said.
"This just a time for the girls to get to know each other better while making new friends and having some fun. This is for contestants and families only," Hoffman said.
The contestants will meet the judges July 28 at a "Judges Reception" at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds from 6 to 8 p.m.
"This is when the girls meet with the judges and each contestant will be interviewed individually. While this is for contestants only, I encourage the public to attend the Schuylkill County Fair's 'Can' Film Festival where families can come and watch a movie at dusk for the price of a canned food item per person at the Fairgrounds," Hoffman said.
July 29 is Pageant/Coronation Day at the fairgrounds.
"At 3 p.m., contestants will introduce themselves, give a speech on why they want to be crowned and answer an impromptu question," Hoffman said.
The 2013 fair royalty will be crowned at 8 p.m., Hoffman said.
"Afterward, we will be recognizing past Schuylkill County Fair queens and any visiting queens from different fairs," Hoffman said, and she encouraged fair queens from Schuylkill County and the region to contact her.
For more information and for registration, perspective contestants are asked to visit the Schuylkill County Fair's website at www.schuylkillfair.com or email Jaclyn Hoffman at jackirh08@yahoo.com.
Contestants can fill in an application by visiting schuylkillfair.com/Fairroyalty.
"All complete entries must be in by Saturday, July 6," Hoffman said.
According to the "Royalty Contest Rules and Information Contestant Qualifications," contestants must be county residents and must be certain ages to qualify for the following royalty competitions: Little Miss, 7 to 10; Princess 11 to 15; and Queen, 16 to 20.
Rhonda Carl, Hegins, was crowned the 2012 Schuylkill County Fair Queen. In January, she was named the 2013 Pennsylvania Fair Queen, according to the fair's website.
Jillian Mullin, Pottsville, was crowned the 2012 Fair Princess. And Kaylee Yeager, Cressona, was crowned 2012 Fair Little Miss.
Kate E. Kline, the 2005 fair queen, served as the fair's royalty adviser for six years. At last year's coronation ceremony, she announced she would be stepping down from the volunteer post.
A teacher at Hegins-Hubley Elementary, Valley View, Kline said she needed the time to study for her master's degree in education at Alvernia University, Reading.
Kline then turned over her duties as adviser to Hoffman, 23.