The new Twin Lakes National Fiddlers Championship will feature new pageants for area girls and teens.

The Twin Lakes National Fiddlers Championship Queen Pageant will be held at 6 p.m. July 20 in the auditorium of the Grayson County Middle School.

The pageant is open to girls from Grayson, Butler, Ohio, Breckinridge, Hart, Edmonson and Hardin counties. There will be three categories: Little Princess, Princess and Queen, with the Queen eligible to compete in the Miss Kentucky Festival Pageant this November.

The Little Princess pageant is for girls ages 10 to 12. Judging consists of a formal wear competition. The Princess pageant is for girls ages 13 to 15, and judging consists a formal wear competition.

The Queen pageant is open to girls ages 16 to 21. Judging consists of an interview, an opening act in a sundress and western boots, and evening wear.

A winner and first, second, and third place will be chosen for each category. The queen will receive a tiara, a sash, a trophy and $100. The winning princess and little princess will receive a crown and a trophy. First, second, and third-place winners in each of the categories will be presented with ribbons.

While the pageant is new, the idea actually sprang from an event created several years ago by Joyce Mudd and the late Leo Mudd. The Mudds thought a different kind of pageant — one that didn’t just look at beauty, but also at personality and the qualities that would represent the contest and event, would be a great idea. They created a pageant that was held for several years and was open to girls from Grayson and Breckinridge counties.

At the request of this year’s festival organizers, Joyce Mudd has returned as pageant coordinator.

“I was very honored and thrilled when I was approached to do this pageant,” she said. “I was always very proud of the past pageants and I think this one will be as good or even better. I really hope people will attend and make this event a success. I want to encourage everyone to come out and enjoy a night of fun and entertainment.”

Joining Mudd as pageant co-coordinator is Lisa Pharis, no stranger to fiddling or pageants. As the daughter of the late Herman Alvey, she has been around fiddling all her life. She’s the mother of three daughters who have competed in many pageants.

“I am very excited to be a part of this pageant and look forward to it being a great experience for all the girls and for our community,” Pharis said. “I look forward to this being an annual event at the Fiddle Festival.”

The deadline to register is July 16. For more information, please visit www.twinlakesfiddler.com, or www.facebook.com/KyFiddlerContest. For questions, email Joyce at joycemudd@yahoo.com or Lisa at lpharis17@yahoo.com.