Young ladies will compete for the title of “Miss Brundidge” on March 12.

The pageant begins at 6 p.m. in the Pike County Elementary School gymn and is sponsored by the Brundidge Business Association.

A highlight of this year’s event will be a parade of former queens, said Jane Thrash, pageant coordinator.

And while current Miss Brundidge Christian Buffy is said her reign is nearing an end, she is excited about the upcoming pageant. “I had very special feelings last year,” she said.

Buffy said she is eager to meet this year’s contestants and to take part in the walk of former queens.

According to Thrash, the contest is open to any young ladies up to age 21 who live in Brundidge or attend Troy University and have a Brundidge home address.

Applications, which must include a photograph, are due by Feb. 25 and the entry fee is $75.

Contestants will be divided into groups based on their age. The Miss Brundidge title will be awarded in the 17- to 21-year-old age group.

Thrash said young women in that category will compete based on verbal communication skills, appearance, poise and evening gown categories.

The winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a crown, bannery, trophy and flowers.

Contestants for Little Miss Brundidge should be entering the second grade in the 2011-2012 school year. They will compete in similar categories, but will wear Sunday dress instead of evening gowns.

The prize includes $300 cash, a crown, banner and trophy.

The pageant also will crown a Petite Miss, Young Miss, Junior Miss and Teen Miss Brundidge. Winners in those categories will receive a $100 savings bond, crown, banner and trophy.

She will obtain $300 cash, crown, banner and trophy.

Other nominations will include Petite Miss, Young Miss, Junior Miss and Teen Miss Brundidge, that provide ladies with $100 saving bond, crown, banner and trophy.

Miss Brundidge and Little Miss Brundidge nominations also require interviews, which will be held at the day of the pageant.

Winners in the various categories will work with local businesses throughout the year to represent Brundidge and will have the opporunity to compete in the National Peanut Festival.