Date Festival Begins Search for New Queen

The National Date Festival is accepting applications for the Queen Scheherazade Scholarship Pageant.

Applications are available through Riverside County high schools, the
Riverside County Fairgrounds administration office and the Riverside County
Fair & National Date Festival website, according to festival spokeswoman
Veronica Casper.

Pageant applicants must "exhibit exceptional character,'' reside in
Riverside County, be at least 17 years old by the Nov. 17 pageant date, and
have not reached the age of 22 as of the fair's opening day on Feb. 15, 2013,
Casper said.

Queen Scheherazade and her court will reign over the 2013 Riverside
County Fair & National Date Festival, acting as the Feb. 15-24 event's goodwill
ambassadors and making promotional appearances.

"The queen and court will benefit from experiences with public speaking
and media relations,'' Casper said.

The queen will be awarded a $3,500 scholarship, and princesses Dunyazade
and Jasmine will each be awarded $3,000 scholarships, Casper said.

Applications for the pageant will be accepted until Oct. 3 at 4 p.m.
For more information about the pageant or to obtain an application, call
(951) 201-1540 or by clicking here visit www.datefest.org