By COLLIN BREAUX
An annual beauty pageant fundraiser for the Bonifay Police Department and Bonifay K-8 School will crown a young queen who will represent the community at the upcoming Down Home Street Festival.
The Miss Trailblazer Pageant will be held March 2, a Saturday, at Bonifay K-8 School. The entry fee is $50 and categories are split up by various age groups, up to 21 years old.
Payments can be made through PayPal at misstrailblazernwfl@gmail.com or @misstrailblazer. Those paying the entry fee are asked to choose Friends and Family for payment–otherwise, the event organizers will be charged a fee.
“You will be required to pay the remainder of the fee before check in if you do not do this correctly,” the event regulations state.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 23 by 11:59 p.m. All contestants must be checked in by 1:15 on pageant day. A link for online applications is available at the 2024 Miss Trailblazer Pageant event page on Facebook.
“The Little Miss Trailblazer Service title will be awarded to the contestant in the Baby – Tiny Miss Categories that raises the most donations,” the event’s regulations state. “Miss Trailblazer Service Queen title will be awarded to the contestant in the Little – Miss Categories that raises the most donations. Both queens will reign alongside their sister queens.”
The winners will be provided with a sash, crown, and T-shirt to represent the festival.
“You must attend one of the Street Festival events to receive your T-shirt,” the event’s regulations state.
Contestant attire will be sportswear or Sunday best.
“Show us your personal style. All age appropriateness rules must be followed,” the event rules said. “For example: No bare midriff, swimsuits, or age inappropriate outfits. No wigs or hair pieces for contestants in Baby – Tiny Miss.”
Contestants are advised to come with hair and makeup ready. Onsite hair and makeup or dressing rooms will not be provided due to space.
A People’s Choice Award Winner will be chosen in each age category, which has no effect on the overall winners.
“The contestants from each age category that collects the most money will win the People’s Choice. Contestants will collect money BEFORE the pageant day,” the event rules said. “Funds raised will be turned in at check in. The overall people’s choice winner for Baby-Tiny and Little-Miss will be awarded the Trailblazer Service Titles. We do not double crown.”
The Down Home Street Festival will be held at Veterans Park in Bonifay on March 16, also a Saturday.
GARETT VALCOURT 
Jim Saunders 
Dara Kam 