SELMA — Now is the time to enter in the Miss Central Alabama Beauty Pageant, sponsored by the Selma Lions Club and the Central Alabama Fair.

“Miss Central Alabama is an excellent opportunity for the girls to get to know girls who go to other schools who they may not know otherwise,” said Beth Pearce, pageant coordinator. “It’s a good opportunity to earn scholarship money. They can earn upwards of $500. It’s also a good opportunity because they can polish their interview skills, which are going to be very important later in life for jobs, to get into college and for scholarships.”

The pageant will be held at the Lions Fair Park, 2401 West Dallas Ave., on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.

Contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 21, never married and of good moral character.

Participants will be required to attend pageant rehearsal on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 at the fair grounds, an appointment with photographer David Blackmon and interviews on Oct. 5 at the Hampton Inn.

Miss Central Alabama Fair Association reserves the right to reject any contestant.

Applications and an $85 entry fee must be sent by Sept. 14 to 1 Houston Park Gardens, Selma, Ala. 36701.

The number of participants is limited due to stage space, so apply early, Pearce said.

For more information, contact Beth Pearce at 875-7684, 327-8121 or bethpearce@bellsouth.net.