Seafood Festival to Hold Pageant Saturday Night

For the first time in five years, the Florida Seafood Festival will host a pageant to select its queen.

After dwindling participation prompted it to switch to an essay-writing format for the competition, organizers are looking forward to a live pageant this year, at the new Franklin County School in the cafeteria on Saturday, July 26 beginning at 7 p.m.

Christy Crosby, director of the pageant, said seven young ladies - two juniors and five seniors - are slated to compete. Emceeing the pageant will be FCTV personality Royce Rolstad and 2007 Miss Florida Seafood Parrish Johnson.

Enrolled to take part are five Franklin County High School seniors in the pageant: Desiree Trest, daughter of Patricia Lichardello and Jimmy Trest, and sponsored by Gulfside IGA; Brittany Hunnings, daughter of Carol Hunnings and Gary Hunnings, and sponsored by Lynn's Quality Oysters, Inc.; Shelby Lipscomb, daughter of Sam and Ticia Lipscomb, and sponsored by 5 Star Home Repair & Improvements; Patricia Golden, daughter of Jackie and John Golden, and sponsored by Navigator Realty; and Paige Moses, daughter of Eddie and Wanda Moses, and sponsored by Water Street Seafood.

The juniors in the pageants are Port St. Joe High School's Sara Ward, daughter of Tommy and Patty Ward, and sponsored by Buddy Ward and Sons Seafood; and Franklin County High School's Joy Carrino, daughter of Alicia and Robert Carrino, and sponsored by Roberts Appliance Repair Service.