Deadlines for the Miss Central Alabama pageant are fast approaching.

According to pageant organizer Beth Pearce, Friday, Sept. 16 is the final date for contestants to put their name in the hat for the Oct. 4 pageant.

Pearce said she encourages those who qualify for the age group to participate.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for the girls 17 to 21 to earn scholarship money, or money they may need for their senior year,” she said. “The winner of the pageant gets $500, the second runner-up gets $300 and the third runner-up gets $200 as well as $100 for the contestant that wins the interview portion.”

Applications are available at the Central Alabama Fair website, www.centralalabamafair.com, The Selma Times-Journal, Cater Drug Company, the Selma-Dallas County YMCA, and at all area high schools.

Prospective contestants can also e-mail bethpearce@bellsouth.net.

The winner of the pageant will be awarded $500, second runner-up will get $300 and the winner of the interview competition will get $100.

There is also a new category in this year’s pageant called Miss Photogenic. The prize for this category, Pearce said, is a sitting fee with a local photographer.

The interview portion will consist of three sessions lasting three minutes each, which account for 35 percent of the score. There is also an evening gown competition.

The registration fee for the pageant is $85, but Pearce said there are limited opportunities for sponsorships. Space is limited, Pearce said, so contestants are encouraged to register early. For more information, call 875-7684.