The deadline to register for one of the Central Alabama Fair pageants is Wednesday, Aug. 31.

The pageants will be held during the fair, beginning on Oct. 3 and are for contestants ages 3 to 19. There are six different age groups.

“We do have people that try to send in late registration,” said Lynn Haskell, who oversees the pageants at the fair. “They need to get their applications in because we only have so many slots available and it’s first come first, first served. We hate to turn anyone away.”

Haskell said the pageants are a great way for the contestants to make new friends.

“Especially for the little girls, it’s all about making friends and getting over your fear of being in front of people,” Haskell said.

“All of our younger contestants get goodie bags and get a trophy, regardless of whether they place or do not place, they walk away feeling as if they are a winner.”

The group ages are Tiny Miss (3 to 4–year olds), Little Miss (5 to 6-year olds), Petite Miss (7 to 9-year olds), Young Miss (10 to 12-year olds), Junior Miss (13 to15-year olds), and Miss Central Alabama Fair (16 to 19-year olds).

A winner and alternates will be chosen for each age group.

There will also be an optional photogenic category.

To register, visit the Central Alabama Fair’s Facebook page or visit www.centralalabamafair.com. The fee is $65.

For more information, contact Lynn Haskell at 327-8679, Tracie Haskell at 875-7327, or Joy Haskell at 412-3030

The pageants will begin on Monday, Oct. 3 with the Petite Miss Central at 6 p.m. and the Miss Central at 7:30 p.m.

The pageants will continue Oct. 4 with the Young Miss Central 6 p.m. and the Junior Miss Central at 7:30 p.m.

The pageants will wrap up Saturday, Oct. 8 with the Tiny Miss Central pageant at 2 p.m. and the Little Miss Central pageant at 4 p.m.