Join the Fun: Louisiana Corn Festival Pageant Applications Now Open! 🌽

Applications are now open for the 2026 Louisiana Corn Festival Pageants, with contestants from across the region invited to participate in this year’s events scheduled for Sunday, April 19, at Haas Auditorium, located at 208 Pershing Avenue in Bunkie.

The day will begin with the Niblet Pageant at 10 a.m., with doors opening at 9 a.m. The deadline to register is April 15, and the entry fee is $60.

The Niblet Pageant is designed to be a fun, low-pressure experience for younger participants, with contestants judged on beauty, personality and overall appearance. Attire for this division is “cute sportswear,” such as a short set or casual dress, with no formal pageant wear or elaborate styling required.

Niblet Queens in each division will receive a crown and banner, as well as the opportunity to ride in the 2026 Louisiana Corn Festival. Additional awards will include first and second alternates, Photogenic and People’s Choice.

The Queens Pageant will follow at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 1 p.m. Registration fees are $80 for Deb and Junior divisions and $100 for Teen and Miss contestants, which includes a festival shirt and photogenic entry.

Age divisions include: - Deb Miss (ages 9–10) - Junior Miss (11–13) - Teen Miss (14–16) - Miss (17–22)

Contestants in the Queens Pageant will be judged on beauty, poise, personality, presentation and overall appearance. Competition categories include: - interview - festival-wear - introduction - formal wear

Miss contestants will also participate in an on-stage question portion. Interviews will begin the morning of April 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the Bunkie Depot, located at 110 NW Main Street. Contestants are asked to arrive no later than 9:15 a.m., and only one guest will be allowed to accompany each participant during interviews.

Festival-wear will feature the 2026 Corn Festival T-shirt, which contestants are encouraged to decorate. Awards will also be given for Best Decorated T-shirt, along with Photogenic and People’s Choice honors. People’s Choice voting will take place during the pageant, with each vote counted as a $1 donation.

Winners of the Queens Pageant will receive banners, flowers and gifts. The Miss Queen will also be eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship following completion of her year of service representing the Louisiana Corn Festival and the Bunkie Chamber of Commerce.

All queens will be expected to participate in several events throughout the year, including the Louisiana Corn Festival opening ceremony on Friday, June 12, the festival parade on Saturday, June 13 and the Bunkie Rotary Christmas Parade. One mandatory fundraiser will also be held later in the year.

Applications are available online at www.bunkiechamber.org/corn-festival, with both downloadable PDF forms and Google Form submission options. Links are also available for direct online registration.

For additional information, contact Pageant Director Mallory Clark at (318) 717-2450 or email lacornfestqueen@gmail.com. Updates and announcements can also be found on the Louisiana Corn Festival Facebook page.