ABBEVILLE– With the cantaloupe harvest fast approaching the annual beauty pageant, which coincides with the season, is also just around the corner.

The Wilcox County Arts Council will sponsor the annual Cantaloupe Classic Beauty Pageant at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 12, in the auditorium of the Wilcox County Arts Council Complex in Abbeville. The five categories will be: Tiny Miss-ages 2-4, Little Miss -ages 4-6, Young Miss-ages-7-11, Junior Miss-ages-12-15 and Miss-ages 16-21.

The entry fee is $60, which includes eligibility for most photogenic and the prettiest dress contest and may be paid by the contestant or a sponsor. For entry forms call 365-7133 or 401-8582.

The president of the Arts Council, Carol Harden, said the judges will be from out of town as well as being certified and that furthermore the pageant is open to anyone. According to Harden the first two categories will allow no make up and no pageant dresses as the pageant will stress the “natural little girl look.”

“We consider our cantaloupe classic to be a very classy event” said Harden when referring to the seventh annual event.