How to Apply

MISS VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF FAIRS is selected from the winners of the county and regional fairs throughout the state of Virginia. The contestant selected as Miss VAF will reign for one full year, beginning with her coronation and ending with the crowning of her successor. Miss VAF agrees not to compete at any other pageants during her reign. Miss VAF agreed to participate in events to which she is invited. In addition, she may schedule additional appearances with the knowledge and approval of the Pageant Director. The following guidelines shall apply to participants in the Miss VAF competition:

Contestant must be single, never married, without children, and never having been pregnant.​

Contestant must be between the ages of 16-22 on the date of her local pageant.

Contestant must be female and has always been female.

Contestant must possess good moral character. She will not be allowed to compete if she has been convicted of a crime or has criminal charges pending against her (not including minor traffic violations). She will not be allowed to compete if she has engaged in any activity which is characterized as dishonest, immoral, indecent, or in bad taste. This also includes any improper action on social media, in print, or via any electronic form of communication.

Contestant must be sponsored by members in good standing with the VAF. The wording of the fair title must be identical to that of the fair or festival she represents.

Contestant must not compete in any pageant between the date she wins her fair title and the date of the Miss VAF pageant.

Contestant must meet eligibility requirements for participation in her local fair or festival regarding residency. Contestant shall consider that all appearances scheduled by the VAF or the Pageant Director will be in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Contestant is eligible to compete in the Miss VAF Scholarship Pageant more than once. But, she may hold the title of Miss VAF only once.

Contestant must be accompanied by her chaperone during the conference. Chaperones may be a pageant director or a representative chosen by the local fair director. Pageants may designate up to two chaperones. If a contestant arrives without a chaperone, they will NOT be eligible to compete.

Contestant must always wear her fair's sash while not in her room, unless instructed otherwise by the VAF Pageant Director. To honor the Miss VAF crown, local crowns will be worn only at designated times.

Contestant and all accompanying pageant guests shall conduct themselves in a proper, professional manner. Any display of uncooperative or unsportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification.

Contestant must attend all activities and rehearsals to participate. Rehearsals are closed to the public unless announced otherwise by the VAF Pageant Director.

Contestant will compete in private interview, personality wear, civic engagement speech, and evening gown. The top 10 finalists will answer an unrehearsed question onstage.

The decisions of the judges are final.

Contestants must remain on stage until all awards are presented and for pictures until dismissed by the VAF Pageant Director. Well-wishers are asked not to come up on stage until after official photos have been completed.

The winner, runners-up, and semi-finalists will receive a scholarship claim letter. Miss VAF may claim her scholarship after the crowning of her successor. All scholarships must be claimed within two years from the date of the state pageant.

The first runner-up must be willing to assume all duties if the winner is unable or unwilling to fulfill her reign.

The new Miss VAF will meet with the VAF Pageant Director prior to leaving the Omni Homestead Resort to discuss expected responsibilities. Miss VAF will sign a contract agreeing to participate in civic activities, parades, and the Virginia Association of Fairs Conference. Miss VAF will agree to represent her title with dignity and be willing to make appearances for any local fair.

Except for signatures, ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE TYPED (not handwritten).

Responses to all fields on the contestant application must be confined to two pages. Additional pages will NOT be considered.

Contestant must adhere to all deadlines.

OPENING NUMBER - This year’s pageant theme is Pretty in Pink! The opening number will be a simple dance routine to upbeat music taught at rehearsals. The opening number outfit will consist of:

• Solid BRIGHT PINK cocktail dress, jumpsuit, or pant suit of your choice – have fun! No trains, please.

• Your choice of accessories

After the opening number is complete, each contestant will proceed to the microphone to introduce herself, giving her name and official fair title.

PRIVATE INTERVIEW (40%) - Judging will be based on personality, poise, speaking ability, personal achievement in education, and civic and community participation. Interviews will be five (5) minutes in length. Questions will start immediately after the contestant’s introduction by the director. Interviews will end at the five (5) - minute mark. There will be no final statement. A schedule will be distributed at registration with your start time. Please arrive at the interview area 10 minutes prior to your start time. Required dress for interview competition is a tasteful, age-appropriate short dress, jumpsuit, or pants ensemble with jewelry and footwear that complement the outfit. No cocktail attire, please.

PERSONALITY WEAR (20%) - Your personality wear will be modeled in a fast-paced modeling pattern which will be taught at rehearsals. A CASUAL outfit of your choice that best displays your personality is to be worn. Each contestant will present her community engagement speech while wearing this outfit. The outfit can represent a hobby, an occupation, an extracurricular activity, ethnic/cultural heritage, a sharp school outfit, a fun night out, and the list goes on. Use this area of competition as an opportunity to set yourself apart - be unique! Judging of this portion will be on appearance, poise, and personality. Outfits that could serve as evening wear are NOT permitted and points will be deducted.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (20%) - CHANGE FOR 2024! This year’s conference theme is Every Fair Has a Story so each contestant will be given up to 30 seconds to speak on what makes her fair or festival special and why we should attend. Have fun, be creative, but do not over-rehearse your speech. Contestants will be judged on their ability to speak confidently in front of the audience as well as their stage presentation. Do not state your name and title in your speech. If the contestant goes over the 30-second time limit, judges will deduct points from her score. Note cards and props are not permitted.

EVENING GOWN COMPETITION (20%) - Contestants will model their evening gowns of choice in a modeling pattern taught at rehearsals. Judging of this portion will be on appearance, poise, and stage presence. After the evening gown competition is complete, all scores will be tabulated and a top eleven will be named.

ON STAGE QUESTION (Top 11 Only) - An on-stage, unrehearsed question will be asked of the top eleven.

PHOTOGENIC AWARD - Each queen is required to bring ONE (8X10) COLOR HEADSHOT (portrait/vertical format) in a simple black frame. Please identify with name and title TYPED on a small white label placed on the bottom right corner, under the glass. To protect the photo, do not stick the label on the photo. Photos will be judged and Miss Photogenic will be named. These photos will be on display in the hotel during the entire weekend. Please collect your photo after the pageant. The Miss VAF Pageant will NOT be responsible for photos that are left behind.