Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By: Brandon Ussery

LAFAYETTE- On Saturday, June 14, at 4:30 CT, the LaFayette High School auditorium will host the 2nd annual Miss LaFayette Main Street competition hosted by the LaFayette chapter of Main Street Alabama (MSA). 

DeAnna Hand, Executive Director of LaFayette Main Street, takes pride in organizing the event and looks forward to seeing the community grow and put its support behind the local youth.

“So we want to increase young girls’ confidence and enhance their communication skills, and their development. So it’s really giving back to our youth and our young girls throughout the area and even beyond this area, giving them a platform to showcase their talents.” Hand stated.

Currently, competitors come from not only LaFayette but also surrounding areas. Applicants to enter are not required to be from the area to be eligible for competition. The age range is from 3 to 18 with five age categories: Tiny Miss (3 to 5-year-olds, Little Miss (6 to 8-year-olds), Young Miss (9 to 11-year-olds), Junior Miss (12 to 14-year-olds), and Miss (15 to 18-year-olds). The competitions will include Outfit of Choice and a Photogenic Contest. During the outfit of choice competition, contestants display outerwear that showcases their personality and confidence, while the photogenic contest will require contestants to submit photos ahead of the pageant. 

Last year’s turnout for the competition included 40 participants. The turnout for this year’s pageant will be larger than the previous year, with 60 participants, which has led organizers to cap the number of participants. This new limit indicates the pageant’s growing popularity in the area. 

According to the organization, Main Street Alabama seeks to revitalize the local communities through “Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion and Organization,” encouraging local communities to rally together in efforts to improve the local economy and visibility of residents in the area. 

“It is local people, local businesses helping all this come together.” Hand explained. 

Local businesses in the area help support efforts by volunteering both time and resources to the competition. Often, donating materials and finished products to enhance visibility, along with giving back to the community that supports them. 

Lafayette Main Street is also looking for volunteers to help with the pageant. Volunteers are encouraged to reach out to DeAnna Hand for more information.