The San Joaquin Asparagus Festival is now accepting applications for the 2024 San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Scholarship Pageant.
The pageant, a highlight of the festival, will take place live on Saturday, April 13, during the 38th annual San Joaquin Asparagus Festival at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton.
The Queen Pageant welcomes women and girls of all ages to participate. Contestants will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities and vie for prestigious titles and cash scholarships.
A contestant’s age as of April 1st determines their age division. Here are the details for each division:
*Teen Division (Ages 12-15): Contestants in this division will compete for the title of Teen Miss Asparagus Festival and a $250 cash scholarship.
*Miss Division (Ages 16-21): Contestants aged 16-21 who are unmarried and without children are eligible to compete for the title of Miss Asparagus Festival and a $1,000 cash scholarship.
*Ms. Division (Ages 18+): Contestants aged 18 and above, regardless of marital or maternal status, can compete for the title of Ms. Asparagus Festival.
Contestants will participate in three areas of competition: Fun Fashion (featuring the color green), formal wear, and an on-stage question segment.
The San Joaquin Asparagus Festival is owned and operated by Noceti Group Inc.
The Noceti family also operate an elite motorsport, entertainment and events business that includes the Stockton 99 Speedway, Stockton Dirt Track, Little 99 Go Kart & Motorcycle Racing facility, San Joaquin Asparagus Festival and the California Garlic Festival.
The pageant program is under the direction of Shim Lacy, from Manteca, who also directs the garlic festival pageant.
To be eligible, contestants must reside, attend school, or work within one of the following Central Valley counties: Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Merced, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne, and/or Yuba.
There is also a princess program for girls ages 11 and under, where each little girl is crowned live on stage during the festival by the new Asparagus Festival Queens.
The entry fee for the pageant is $50 and the princess program is $40. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2024. For complete details and to submit an application, please visit San Joaquin Asparagus Festival's official website.
Don't miss this exciting opportunity to participate in the 2024 San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Scholarship Pageant and become part of a cherished tradition celebrating talent and community spirit.
The San Joaquin Asparagus Festival is an annual event celebrating the rich agricultural heritage of the San Joaquin Valley.
The festival features delicious asparagus-inspired cuisine, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and the Scholarship Pageant, which provides educational opportunities for talented individuals in the community.
Days and Hours of Operation: Friday, April 12, noon and 10 p.m., Saturday, April 13, noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday, April 14, noon to 8 p.m.
Tickets are $15 per adult 18-64, $10 for children 6-17, seniors 65+ and military and children 5 and under are free.
Discount tickets are available at your local Lucky and Save Mart Supermarkets.
