Entries sought for pageant, parade

By Lynn A. Wade

Nevada Daily Mail

Miss Merry Christmas Pageant coordinator Betsy Curtis said Wednesday there's still time to sign up as a contestant in the annual event.

The deadline to sign up is noon, Monday, Dec. 3, Curtis said.

The pageant takes place Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m., in the auditorium at Nevada High School; and contestants in four age categories -- Miss Candy Cane, kindergarten through second grade; Miss Snowflake, third through fifth grades; Miss Holly, sixth through eighth grades, and Miss Merry Christmas, grades nine through 12 -- will be judged on talent, personality and dress.

An entry fee of $20 must accompany entries; and contestants must be Vernon County residents, turn in the forms and a photo by the entry deadline, and agree to participate in the Christmas parade, themed "A Storybook Christmas," on Dec. 8. On the day of the pageant, contestants must arrive no later than 5:30 p.m. and will present a talent such as a poem, song, dance or dramatic reading lasting 2 minutes or less. Music used in the talent portion must be provided on a CD labeled with the contestant's name and track number of desired music.

Entry forms may be downloaded from the Nevada/Vernon County Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.nevada-mo.com; and should be turned in at the chamber offices, 225 W. Austin Blvd., Suite 200, Nevada.

For more information, contact Curtis at (417) 667-2666.

The chamber also is seeking entries for this year's Christmas parade, to begin at 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8. An entry form and additional information for the parade also is available at www.nevada-mo.com and should be returned to the chamber by Wednesday, Dec. 5. The chamber will continue to accept entries until the parade begins; but late entries will line up a the end of the parade.