The long-awaited Christmas on the River pageants start on Saturday, Sept. 29 with the title pageant, Miss Christmas on the River. Miss Junior COTR will follow on Oct. 1, with Young Miss COTR and Little Miss COTR behind it on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 respectively. Every pageant takes place at the Demopolis Civic Center at 7 p.m. except for Little Miss COTR, which takes place at 6 p.m.

The court for each pageant is introduced at every COTR event and will ride on a float during the day parade. Miss COTR also has additional duties associated with her title.

“Miss COTR is actually a spokesperson for Christmas on the River,” Pageant Coordinator Ann Parsons said.

That’s why, Parsons said, Miss COTR must be “someone that can communicate and promote Demopolis and promote Christmas on the River.”

Because of the added responsibilities, Miss COTR contestants also must participate in a three-minute interview with the judges on the day of the pageant.

“I want them to be able to represent Demopolis well,” Parsons said.

The deadline to register for any of the four pageants is Sept. 17. Applications should be mailed to the pageant’s respective chair, whose address is listed on the forms. There is a $25 entry fee associated with each pageant.

Victoria Eaves is the chair for Miss COTR, Melinda Perry for Miss Junior COTR, Riley Quinney for Young Miss COTR and Lisa Moody for Little Miss COTR. Parsons said that Carrie Logan has also been assisting with the pageants.

Practice for the pageants will be held on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. for Little Miss COTR, 2 p.m. for Young Miss COTR and 3 p.m. for Junior Miss COTR. Practice for Miss COTR will be held the night of the pageant.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, September 12 issue of the Demopolis Times.)