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Smithfield

The 2020 Miss Isle of Wight County Fair scholarship pageant is still on for Sunday, Aug. 2, but will be a little different this year given the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the pageant’s Facebook page, the plan is to host a crowning ceremony for the new fair queens and a farewell to the 2019 queens at 3 p.m. in The Smithfield Center, with each queen and contestant allowed five guests as to ensure social distancing. This will be live-streamed via the pageant’s Facebook page.

Instead of the typical competition areas, the pageant is instead requiring contestants to submit an essay and participate in a video interview with judges. The updated application and essay prompt is available at www.thefairiscoming.com. The application deadline will also be extended through Friday, July 17, at 5 p.m., giving contestants an extra month to turn in their essays.