The Mexican Mutual Society, 1820 E 28th St., in Lorain, has opened registration for the 2024 Cinco de Mayo Little Queen Pageant.
Contestants must be between ages 5-10, live in Lorain County, be of Mexican descent and have at least one parent belong to the group, according to the organization. Parents can register themselves for the group for $10.
The pageant winners will be chosen based on the amount of raffle tickets each contestant sells, said pageant director, Loren Rodriguez. The winner of the pageant will also participate in the Lorain International Festival parade in June, according to Rodriguez.
“The princess that sells the highest amount of raffle tickets will be named queen,” she said. “They will present the little girls — they’ll either be named duchesses, princesses or queens.”
Mia Arredondo, scholarship co-chair for the Mexican Mutual Society, said in addition to contestants being escorted by rank at the pageant, there will be a crowning with a trophy and traditional dance as well.
The pageant was started in 1980s, according to Rodriguez.
“The reason for the pageant is to get the younger generations of families and their children involved with Mexican culture,” she said.
Arredondo said the Mexican Mutual Society is a member-based cultural organization and was originally started with a purpose to help mill workers and their families in Lorain. It has since switched focus to instead being a support to the Mexican community through things like scholarships and fundraisers.
“The Cinco De Mayo little queen pageant is something we wanted to bring back because our committee is really focused on bringing in more families, continuing traditions for younger generations,” she said.
The organization, which recently celebrated its 95th anniversary, has awarded $65,000 in scholarships to 70 students, and holds different activities throughout the year — such as Browns Backer events and Meet the Politicians and Celebrity Bartender Nights, according to Arredondo.
For more information on the pageant, contact Loren Rodriguez at 440-654-3463.
