BARNESVILLE — The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival is seeking applicants for this year’s royalty pageant.

Autumn Kessler, a member of the festival committee who oversees the royalty, said organizers are looking for participants in all age divisions, including for mini miss, ages 6-9; princess, ages 10-13; and queen, ages 14-19. She said they are hoping to receive at least five participants per age group.

“In order to do a full court we give out a second runner-up, a first runner-up and a winner. In order to do that we like to have at least five in each age division, but we take as many as we can. We never put a cap on it because we know it’s a really fun opportunity for kids, and we just want them to come in and have a good time. We’ll never turn anyone away,” she said.

One of the unique aspects of the competition is that there is no residency requirement in order to compete, meaning anyone from the Ohio Valley and beyond is welcome to participate, Kessler said.

“We’ve actually had girls from Wheeling compete.The only thing that we ask is that the girls are present during the festival and that they take opportunities to travel to other festivals around the state should they win. That’s really the only requirement we have for the girls,” she said.

“The main thing we’re looking for is a girl to show up, be present and represent our festival.”

Participants will compete in a three-phase competition that includes a private interview with the panel of judges, a talent portion and evening gown.

Those crowned will be presented a rhinestone crown, custom gold sash, the traditional ceramic pumpkin trophy, bouquet of flowers, official festival charm bracelet, cash, along with other prizes. Members of the royal court will also represent the Barnesville fest as they travel to other festivals and events across the state. Kessler said the mini miss is usually asked to attend at least five other events in the span of a year, the princess seven and the queen 10.

“They get to choose which festivals, what days they go. It’s really up to them to make the year what they want,” she said.

Kessler said she is looking forward to this year’s event.

“Last year we crowned a Barnesville girl, a St. Clairsville girl and a girl from Heath, Ohio. All three of them have been doing an amazing job. They have each packed on over 1,000 miles. I was like, ‘We dont require that from you,’ but they loved this opportunity and once they got to their first festival they made friends and stuff like that. It should be an exciting year and an emotional year watching all three of them give up their titles,” she said, adding that last year’s court has set a good foundation for the next group of contestants.

The outgoing royalty are Mini Miss Sophia Jones, Princess Alexa Plumby and Queen Lindsay Drumm.

For more information or to receive an application, visit the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival website at barnesvillepumpkinfestival.com/royalty or email BarnesvillePumpkinPageant@yahoo.com. Applications are due by Sept. 2. The pageant is slated for Sept. 18 at Barnesville High School.

Officials are also seeking sponsors for the 2022 Pumpkin Pageant. Any person or business that would like to advertise with the Pumpkin Festival while supporting area youth is encouraged to email BarnesvillePumpkinPageant@yahoo.com for more information on sponsorship opportunities.

The 2022 Barnesville Pumpkin Festival is set for Sept. 22-25.