The Carbon County Fair is looking for young ladies to participate in the 2016 Queen and Junior Miss Programs.

Applications can be obtained by accessing the fair's website at

www.carboncountyfair.com, or by calling 570-325-8685.All applications must be postmarked by June 25. There is no application fee.To participate in either contest, contestants must reside in Carbon County or West Penn Township, of Schuylkill County.Fair Queen contestants must be a female at least age 16, but no older than 20 years of age as of June 1, 2016.Contestants for the Junior Miss must be 13 years of age, but no older than 15 years of age as of June 1, 2016.The Fair Queen and Junior Miss programs are not one of beauty. Anyone meeting the criteria may apply. Contestants will be judged based on an essay, personal interview and speech presentation.The fair committee noted that the judges look for the candidate who they believe will best represent the fair, while they effectively promote agriculture, although, involvement in an agriculture program is not a requirement.It was emphasized that the fair is about youth, and added that the Queen and Junior Miss programs keep teens involved in the county fair.The 2016 Fair Queen and Junior Miss will be crowned during the opening ceremony of the Carbon County Fair at 6

p.m.Aug. 8. The teens selected will receive scholarships as noted on the fair's website.Melissa Nothstein of Lehighton was selected as the 2015 Carbon County Fair Queen and competed at the 2016 Fair Queen Pageant in Hershey in January.This year's fair will be held Aug. 8-13 on Little Gap Road in Palmerton.There is a general admission fee of $5 (unless paid by credit card, then $5.50 per person) for everyone 6 years and older. Admission includes musical entertainment. There is an additional fee for some arena events for those 6 years and older.For more information about the fair, visit

www.carboncountyfair.com, or call 610-826-1862.You may also send a self- addressed stamped envelope to receive a fair brochure by mailing: Carbon County Fair, PO Box 633, Lehighton PA 18235-0633.