The Southern Illinois PrideFest Royalty Pageant is accepting applications for the contest in May.
The pageant is a gender-inclusive drag pageant, according to Pride in Action Southern Illinois, “for contestants who are committed to serving the LGBTQ Community of Southern Illinois.”
Winners will commit their volunteerism and time to support Pride in Action Southern Illinois and the Southern Illinois PrideFest.
The contest is open to anyone in a 150-mile radius of Carbondale, including Missouri and Kentucky. Noting that drag is facing legislative threats in other states, such as Kentucky, organizers said they are committed to protecting it in Illinois.
The pageant is all inclusive. Contestants will compete against one another for the titles of Mr. Southern Illinois PrideFest King, Miss Southern Illinois PrideFest Queen, and Mx. Southern Illinois PrideFest In-Between.
This year’s pageant will be hosted by the Varsity Center for the Arts in Carbondale on Saturday, May 13. If you have any questions about the pageant, you can reach out to Pageant Director Jodie Santana at (618) 964-5811.