ABBEVILLE — The recently renovated auditorium at the old Abbeville school house was quiet this week but the old girl will come alive this Friday night as beauty contestants from all around the state will vie for various crowns.

The Wilcox County Arts Council will sponsor the seventh annual Cantaloupe Classic Beauty Pageant at 6:30 p.m. Friday night at the Wilcox County Arts Council Complex in Abbeville. The five categories will be: Tiny Miss-ages 2-3, Little Miss -ages 4-6, Young Miss-ages-7-11, Junior Miss-ages-12-16 and Miss-ages 17-21. 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. Entry forms are still available and applications will be accepted up until rehearsal time tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m.

According to Arts Council President Carol Harden, the judges this year will be from out of town as well as being certified. Harden specified that the first two categories will allow no make up and no pageant dresses as the “natural little girl look,” will be emphasized.

Entertainment will be provided by Chris Sercer and Wesley Berry with Sercer singing country music and Berry singing Broadway renditions.

“We consider our Cantaloupe Classic to be a very classy event,” said Harden when referring to the well-organized and professionally presented pageant.

Harden, along with a committee consisting of Sara Sercer, Betty McCall and Carla Parks as well as all Art’s Council members invite everyone to attend.