Now is the Time to Register for the Miss Hibiscus Pageant

A very special part of the Hibiscus Festival is the Miss Hibiscus Pageant which will be held on Friday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Center in Vero Beach. The 2008 Miss Hibiscus Queen will preside over Hibiscus Festival activities on April 19 and will represent historic downtown Vero Beach throughout the year.

Single girls who are Indian River County residents and between the ages of 16 and 21 years old are invited to compete for the coveted title of 2008 Miss Hibiscus. Contestants will be judged on stage presence, poise, community service, personality, and a personal interview. There will be no swimsuit or talent competition. Attire for the Pageant is dressy evening or cocktail attire; long or short dresses may be worn.

Mandatory personal interviews will be conducted at 5:00 p.m. April 17. A contestant meeting and mixer will be held at the Heritage Center on April 10 at 5:00 p.m.

The winner of the Miss Hibiscus Pageant will win a grand prize of $1,000 cash and an array of gift certificates from local businesses. Second place winner will earn $300 cash plus prizes and third place will win $200 cash plus prizes.

Each contestant must submit a $100 sponsorship with their application. Contestants under 18 must have a consent form signed by a parent or guardian. Applications are available at the Vero Beach Community Center, Citrus Museum or download a form on www.hibiscuspageant.org. Applications will explain all criteria of the contest and must be received by April 10.

The Presenting Sponsor of the Hibiscus Festival is The City of Vero Beach to benefit Main Street Vero Beach, the Heritage Center and the Indian River County Historical Society. Media sponsors include Press Journal, Treasure and Space Coast Radio Talking Phone Book and Vero Life. Thank you to Vero Heritage Inc. for the use of the building and Schumann Printing for the Miss Hibiscus forms. For more information call 772-569-0974 or 772-778-8800 or email cciceskater@aol.com or gravesbass@bellsouth.net. For Festival information, visit www.mainstreetverobeach.org.