For families
Your first pageant,
without the mystery
What it costs, who your child competes against, how judging works, and what happens on the day.
What it costs
Entry fee
Shown before you register.
Set by each pageant
Service fee
Shown before you pay. Some directors cover it.
5% + 50¢
Extras
Fun fashion, photogenic, program pages, tickets.
Optional
Outfit
Natural pageants are judged in dresses many families already own.
Up to you
Divisions
A division is usually an age group, like Baby 0 to 2, Little Miss 4 to 6 or Teen 13 to 15. Your child competes against the others in their division. Each pageant sets its own, and when you search the pageant directory by age, it shows only pageants with a division that fits.
How judging works
Judges score each contestant in areas of competition, such as presentation, interview, casual wear or an onstage question. Each area is worth a set share of the total, and the highest combined score wins the division. Rules vary, so read the pageant's rules before the day.
Many pageants also crown supreme titles across several divisions, and run optional awards like photogenic. People's Choice is a public fundraising vote ($1 = 1 vote, plus a Pageant Post service fee), counted separately from the judges' scores.
The day itself
-
Check in
Arrive when the schedule says, get your contestant number, and hand in any paperwork you didn't finish online.
-
Interview
If the pageant has one, it is usually early in the day: a friendly conversation with the judges.
-
Stage
Each area of competition is a short walk and pose. Directors usually show it at rehearsal or check in.
-
Crowning
Everyone comes back on stage, and awards are announced from smallest to biggest. Many families bring flowers or a small gift.
Pack: outfits on hangers, shoes, snacks, water, safety pins and hair supplies.
Words you'll hear
- Natural
- Looks that fit the child's age, with little or no makeup.
- Glitz
- Full glam: elaborate gowns, styled hair, stage makeup.
- Supreme
- A top title awarded across several divisions.
- OSQ
- Onstage question, answered at the mic.
- Photogenic
- An optional award judged from a submitted photo.
- People's Choice
- A public fundraising vote, separate from the judges.