IMPORTANT DATES
- Application Deadline: May 16, 2026
- Mandatory Deadline Meeting: Sunday, May 17, 2026 at 2:30 PM, Online
- Mandatory Rehearsal: Friday, June 5, 2026 at 6:30 PM, CMC Building, Southport Baptist Church, 102 East Nash St. Southport, NC 28461
- Pageant Date & Time: Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM, CMC Building, Southport Baptist Church, 102 East Nash St. Southport, NC 28461
- Mandatory Contract Signing and Headshots for Winners: Sunday, June 7, 2026, Studio J, 20822 US 17 N, Hampstead, NC
AGE DIVISIONS
- Baby Miss: 0-3
- Tiny Miss: 4–6
- Little Miss: 7–9
- Junior Miss: 10–12
- Young Miss: 13–15
- Teen Miss: 16–18
- Miss: 19-24
COMPETITION CATEGORIES
- Baby Miss (0-3)
- Patriotic Wear (Scoring: Overall Appearance, Poise/Personality, Modeling)
- Sunday Best (Scoring: Overall Appearance, Poise/Personality, Modeling)
- Tiny Miss to Young Miss (4–15)
- Patriotic Wear (Scoring: Overall Appearance, Poise/Personality, Modeling)
- Evening Wear (Scoring: Overall Appearance, Poise/Personality, Modeling)
- Interview (Scoring: Personality, Communication skills, knowledge of personal platform)
- Talent - max 2 minutes (Entertainment value, technical skill and performance quality)
- Teen Miss and Miss (16–24)
- Patriotic Wear (Scoring: Overall Appearance, Poise/Personality, Modeling)
- Evening Wear (Scoring: Overall Appearance, Poise/Personality, Modeling)
- On-Stage Question (Scoring: Personality, Communication skills, ability to answer effectively under pressure)
- Interview (Scoring: Personality, Communication skills, knowledge of personal platform)
- Talent - max 2 minutes (Scoring: Entertainment value, technical skill and performance quality)
INTERVIEW
Contestants aged 4-24 will participate in a round robin style interview, three (3) minutes per judge. Contestants should be able to articulate thoughtful answers, engage comfortably with interviewers, and demonstrate maturity, confidence, and personality.
ON-STAGE QUESTION
Teen Miss and Miss Contestants will answer an on stage question during formal wear about the significance of the 4th of July and what it means to them.
WARDROBE & NATURAL PAGEANT GUIDELINES
The Miss NC 4th of July Pageant is a natural pageant. We believe children should look like children and young ladies should present themselves in an age-appropriate, polished manner.
General Rules (All Divisions)
NO pro-am modeling or routines
NO removable clothing
NO midriff exposure
NO low-cut cleavage
NO necklaces or bracelets in competition
Modeling should be natural and age-appropriate as well as hair and makeup
Baby Miss (0-3)
Beauty Wear/Sunday Best
Patriotic Casual Wear
Tiny Miss to Little Miss (4–9)
Beauty Wear: Floor length gown
Patriotic Wear: Elevated pageant wear
Interview: T-shirt and navy bottoms, shoes of choice
Talent: 2 min max, must be approved.
Junior Miss & Young Miss (10-15)
Beauty Wear: Floor length gown
Patriotic Wear: Elevated pageant wear
Interview: T-shirt and navy bottoms, shoes of choice
Talent: 2 min max, must be approved.
Teen Miss & Miss (16-24)
Beauty Wear: Floor length gown
Patriotic Wear: Elevated pageant wear
Interview: T-shirt and navy bottoms, shoes of choice
Talent: 2 min max, must be approved.
TALENT
Maximum 2 minutes. Prior approval required by Pageant Director, indoor appropriate
talent only. No video submissions, performance must be live.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL COMPETITIONS
Photogenic
- Entry Fee: $10 (additional photos up to 10 at $10 each)
- 8x10 or 8.5x11 natural photo (color or B&W) in a sleeve or backer
- Photo due June 5 at Mandatory Rehearsal
People’s Choice Roses:
- Optional for all age divisions
- Contestants will sell roses for $5.00 each and the winner receives the title of 4th of July Festival Ambassador
- Roses will be presented on stage to the contestants that participated
- Deadline for final total of roses sold due May 29, 2026
- Proceeds of sales go back to scholarship fund, pageant prizes and the Festival.
TITLES & AWARDS
- Age Division Queens (combined score from all areas of competition)
- Crown, sash, and trophy/plaque
- Photogenic Award (plaque)
- Festival Ambassador (People's Choice Roses) member if the court, same prize package as age division queens
- Teen Miss division winner receives a $1000 scholarship at the conclusion of a successful reign.
- Miss division winner receives a $2500 scholarship at the conclusion of a successful reign.
ENTRY FEES
Age Division Entry: $100 (required)
Photogenic: $10 (optional)
People’s Choice Roses: Based on donations collected
All fees are NON-REFUNDABLE unless the pageant is cancelled.