Contestants are now being sought for the 2026 Natchitoches Queens Scholarship Program, which includes the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant and the Miss Natchitoches City of Lights & Teen Pageant. Both pageants will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, at 3 p.m. at the Natchitoches Events Center.
The Miss Merry Christmas Pageant is open to young ladies who will be enrolled in the 12th grade at a Natchitoches Parish school and are residents of Natchitoches Parish. Contestants will compete in interview, academics, on-stage question, casual wear and evening wear.
The winner will be crowned Miss Merry Christmas and will receive a $1,000 in-kind scholarship to Northwestern State University. Christmas Belles will also be selected and will each receive a $500 in-kind scholarship to NSU. Miss Merry Christmas will serve as the official hostess of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival and, along with the Christmas Belles, will represent Natchitoches at various events throughout the holiday season.
The entry fee for the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant is $75. A minimum of 10 contestants is required for the pageant to be held. Applications and entry fees must be submitted to the Natchitoches Main Street Office, 781 Front St., Natchitoches, no later than Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
The Miss Natchitoches City of Lights & Teen Pageant is open to the following divisions:
Miss (ages 18–28): Contestants must be at least 18 years old by Sept. 1, 2027, and no older than 28 on Sept. 30, 2027. Participants must be enrolled in high school or college and/or meet the state residency requirements and be registered with the Miss America organization.
Teen (ages 14–18): Contestants must be at least 14 years old by Sept. 1, 2027, and no older than 18 on Sept. 30, 2027. Participants must have been Louisiana residents for at least 120 days before competing in the local competition and be registered with the Miss America organization.
Contestants in the Miss Natchitoches City of Lights & Teen Pageant will compete in interview, talent, on-stage question, fitness in sportswear and evening wear.
The winner of the Miss Natchitoches City of Lights title will receive a $1,000 in-kind scholarship to Northwestern State University, the official Miss America local crown, a custom embroidered sash and additional prizes. The Miss Natchitoches City of Lights Teen winner will receive the official Miss America’s Teen local crown, a custom embroidered sash and additional prizes.
The entry fee for the Miss Natchitoches City of Lights & Teen Pageant is $75, payable on the day of the pageant. Participants are also required to raise a minimum $30 donation for the American Heart Association through their Miss America Spotfund accounts.
Applications for the Miss Natchitoches City of Lights & Teen Pageant must be submitted to Pageant Director Gregory O’Quinn at gregoquinn78@yahoo.com no later than Sept. 6, 2026.
Applications for both pageants can be downloaded using the following links:
https://www.natchitochesla.gov/documents/2026-mmc-information-packet/
https://www.natchitochesla.gov/documents/2026-mmc-pageant-entry-form/
https://www.natchitochesla.gov/documents/miss-col-and-teen-application/
Applications can also be picked up at the Natchitoches Main Street Office, 781 Front St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Maeli Sipple at (318) 471-3879 or msipple@natchitochesla.gov.
Paid Content