2026 Hurricane Independence Day Pageant

Hurricane Independence Day Pageant - Pre-Teen - Mrs.

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Location:  Valley Park Conference Center

1 Valley Park Dr

Hurricane, WV  25526

Door Entry Fee: $10

Entry is free for current Fairs and Festivals titleholders with a sash. No crowns please.

Pageant Begins at 5:30 pm - Doors Open at 4:30

DEADLINE TO ENTER IS SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026 - NO EXCEPTIONS
Form, payment and headshot must be in-hand by the deadline

Entry fees:

Miss Division - $100
All Other Divisions - $85

Fees are non-refundable unless contestant wins a fairs and festivals title prior to pageant day or in the event that the pageant is canceled.

Division Determination:

Pre-Teen - ages 10-12 (must be 10-12 by day of competition)

Teen - ages 13-15 (must be 13-15 by day of competition and must not have had children)

Miss - ages 16-21 (must be 16 by competition and can not have reached the age of 22 before January 1, 2027. Must not have had a child or been married)

Ms. - ages 18+ (must not be currently married, but may have children or have been divorced)

Mrs. - ages 18+ (must currently be married)

Division numbers WILL NOT be disclosed prior to deadline.  Many wait until deadline day and these numbers will not be accurate.

Schedule for the day:

Arrival time: 11:30 am
Orientation/Rehearsal: 12:00 pm
Lunch: 2:00 pm
Interviews: 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Pageant: 5:30 pm (doors will open at 4:30 pm)
**schedule subject to vary slightly depending on number of participants**

Phases of Competition:

Personal Interview:
Each contestant will have an interview with a panel of 3-4 judges. Attire should be professional and what you would wear to a job interview. Judges will be given you bios and questions will be taken from those or ones they feel appropriate to ask. Judges will not be permitted to ask questions related to politics or religion.

Introduction:
Each contestant will introduce herself with her name, age, and where you are from. Attire will be blue jeans (no rips or tears) and red, white or royal blue shirt depending on your division.  Shoes are your choice. (Pre-Teen and Ms. will wear red, Teen and Mrs. will wear royal blue and Miss will wear white)

Promo: (Miss Division Only)
Each contestant in the Miss division will be asked to perform a 30 second promo about the Hurricane Independence Day Celebration. Attire will be same as Introduction portion. Please let us know if you have questions about this part of the competition.

Evening Gown/On-Stage Question
Each contestant will compete in evening gown and on-stage question. Contestants will do an evening gown walk, then approach the emcee for her on-stage questions. Each contestant will have two on-stage questions. One will be from your bio and the other will be a 'fish bowl' style question. The list of possible questions will be provided to pre-teen division one week prior to the pageant.

ALL JUDGING WILL BE FINAL.
Scoresheets will be available at the conclusion of the pageant. Any scoresheets not picked up will be discarded.

Prize Package:
Prize package will include crown, sash, sash pin, crown case and other personalized items and goodies for all queens. Our Miss Queen will receive a fully paid entry into the West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Pageant in January of 2026.

Awards:
Awards will be given for 1st and 2nd runner up for each division
In addition, there will be an award for best overall interview, most photogenic and congeniality.
We will also have a fan favorite award that will be determined by donation amount. Each vote will be $1. All donations will benefit fairs and festival fees and other things throughout the year.

Competition Day Rules:
Pageant days are meant to be fun and inviting for everyone. Absolutely no bad sportsmanship, gossip or poor behavior will be tolerated. If any of this behavior is seen, contestant will be asked to leave and no refund will be issued. Some ladies are new to the pageant community, let's welcome them with open arms and make sure this is a day for all to enjoy and make memories. Please be encouraging and helpful to one another.

Post Crowning:
Immediately following crowning, we ask that all crowned queens stay behind for photos prior to changing clothes. We will have a short meeting and contract signing at this time.

All crowned queens will receive a folder with a copy of the contract and a calendar of events/activities for the year. Additional events may be added throughout the year, but information will be given in a timely manner. The required events/appearances are listed in the contract below, however, we encourage participation in other scheduled activites as well.

No contestant will compete without receipt of payment. Deadline is April 5. No extension will be made. Payment and Bio MUST BE IN HAND.

For reference, below is the contract for the expectations should you be crowned as Hurricane Independence Day Royalty. Please read it over in its entirety prior to submitting your application. You must be able to adhere to the contract. Winners will sign contract after being crowned.

2026 Hurricane Independence Day Pageant Contract:

I understand that as a titleholder for the 2026 Hurricane Independence Day Celebration, I agree to the following:

Miss contestants must currently be and remain a resident of the state of West Virginia during her reign and may be asked to provide proof of residency.  

All divisions must be a current resident of West Virginia.

I will attend the 2026 Hurricane Independence Day Celebration Parade and the festival immediately following the parade on July 4, 2026.

I will attend 3 events throughout my reign organized by my directors. (this may be events such as Yuletide in the Park or the WV Cupcake Festival, fundraisers, volunteer activities, etc)

I will attend no less than 2 additional parades, to my choosing, throughout my reign.

I will attend no less than 2 additional fairs or festivals, to my choosing, throughout my reign.

I will participate in no less than 2 volunteer/community service events, to my choosing throughout my reign.

I will make a minimum of one appearance a month. Any of the above listed activities/events count toward this, but it can be other activities and/or events.

I will be in attendance at the 2027 pageant to crown my successor.  Pageant is scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 10, 2027.

I will make regular posts to my social media of events I am/have attended as a representative of my title.

If my personal page is private, I will create and maintain a page for posting appearances and/or share events and updates pertaining to the City of Hurricane or the Hurricane Independence Day Celebration that can be viewed publicly.

I understand that all photos and/or videos taken and posted to any and all social media accounts (including, but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok) must be tasteful and appropriate.

I will uphold a respectable image accepted by the pageant and festival board at all times; including, but not limited to social media and public events, with or without my sash.

I understand that I may only wear my crown at my festival and parades that I am participating in.  I may also wear my crown at photoshoots and certain events that have been approved by the event organizers.

I will be respectful of pageant venues, to other contestants and queens, my directors, and pageant staff.

I understand that all photos taken of me or my child at the pageant or events in which I am representing my title may be used for current or future posts or promotions.

I understand that by being crowned as a representative of the Hurricane Independence Day Celebration, I may not compete in any other contracted pageants during the 2026 year, exceptions are state and national pageants. I may compete in hobby pageants or fundraiser pageants for which there are no required appearances or contract signing.

 Miss Queen may not compete in any other pageant prior to the 2027 West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festival.  Exceptions are state and national pageants.

 **Should I be crowned as a state or national titleholder, I will still fulfill my contracted duties.  If I am unable to do so, I will relinquish my title to 1st runner up or other that is able to fulfill the duties.

 Miss Queen is required to attend the WVAFF Convention and compete in January 2027. I understand that my entry fee will be paid by the pageant board. This does NOT include any convention or pageant tickets for my friends or family. I understand that the director will collect ticket money from anyone wishing to attend the event by September 28. Ticket details will be announced when pageant board receives the information.

I understand that not complying with this contract could result in the loss of my title. In the event that this would happen, it may be offered to 1st or 2nd runner up or may be appointed, depending on if those placements have already received another title

.

Please email any questions to hurricanepageants@gmail.com or reach out to us on the Hurricane Independence Day Pageants page on Facebook.

I understand that the City of Hurricane, Hurricane Pageants, or Valley Park, its staff, volunteers or heirs is not responsible for accidents, injuries, or lost or stolen items.

I agree that the information given in my bio to be true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

I understand that my fees are non-refundable with the exception of in the event the pageant is canceled by the organizers or should I win another Fairs and Festivals title prior to pageant day.  

By signing and submitting this document, I am confirming that I have read and understand all content of this application.