Applications for Cotton Carnival pageants due by 4 p.m. Sept. 20

SIKESTON — The Sept. 20 deadline for entries to the 80th Annual Sikeston American Legion Cotton Carnival pageants is quickly approaching.

Kelly Williams, pageant committee member, said while the pageant is still in its early stages, applications and information sheets will be available on the American Legion website sometime this week.

“They just need to fill out an application, submit their picture, their entry fee and payment by Sept. 20 at 4 p.m.,” Williams said of candidates.

According to Williams, the Little Mr. and Miss Cotton Carnival will take place this year on at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the carnival located on the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo grounds.

Junior Miss Sikeston is at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Miss Cotton Carnival is at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, and Miss Sikeston will be at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.

Williams said all pageants will be held on the pageant stage at the Cotton Carnival. 

“Little Mr. and Miss Cotton Carnival are ages 4 to 6; Junior Miss Sikeston is open to Sikeston freshman girls only,” Williams said. “Miss Cotton Carnival is open to any area girl for ninth grade through the 12th grade or a Sikeston High School girl in 10th or 11th grade.

Williams continued: “And Miss Sikeston is only open to Sikeston senior girls.”

According to Williams, the girls who win in their division will have responsibilities throughout the year.

“The girls who win will help with the American Legion,” Williams said. “They will shop for the veterans at Christmas; they will help with the annual veterans’ Thanksgiving dinner.” 

Williams noted the top 12 finalists for the Miss Sikeston contest will serve as the 2025 Calender Girls for the Standard Democrat. 

“The girls will also help with the veterans’ ceremony in November on Veterans’ Day,” Williams said. “All the girls seem to really love it and enjoy it.”

Williams, who has been a pageant director for many years, said she looks forward to the Cotton Carnival pageants each year and enjoys being a part of them.

According to Williams, the Cotton Carnival pageants are more than just a pageant; they are part of Sikeston tradition. 

“It’s a Sikeston tradition; it’s something that when you’re in Sikeston, that’s a pretty big deal,” Williams said. “I guarantee you anybody who graduates from Sikeston could tell you who was Miss Sikeston that year.

Williams continued: “It’s also a great experience for the girls. Backstage, the girls are cheering each other on and supporting each other. It’s a really neat thing, and sometimes the girls will gather in prayer right before the pageants start.” 

The pageants are a part of Sikeston history, and Williams said she is hoping to get six previous Miss Sikeston winners to come and judge this year’s Miss Sikeston pageant.

“I think we will have sashes made for them since they are previous Miss Sikeston’s, so that will be pretty cool to have past winners judge because we have never done that before,” Williams said.

Williams said she wanted to emphasize the applications must be returned by 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 due to the additional work she must complete beforehand. Williams said late entries will not be accepted.

To access the pageant forms, go to www.sikestonamericanlegion.com.