After abandoning the practice of crowning a queen for the annual Big Butler Fair eight years ago, organizers have decided to reinstate the pageant.

A 2005 fair queen will be chosen in a pageant May 26 at the Atrium on New Castle Road, near Prospect. The winning contestant will begin her duties by participating May 30 in the Butler Memorial Day Parade.

The queen will also officiate all special activities to commemorate the fair's 150th anniversary. Duties will include doing radio spots and other types of activities that promote the anniversary.

The fair will run July 1 through 9 at the fairgrounds on Route 422 in Franklin Township.

Judges will choose the queen based on written applications, which will include an essay titled "Why I Want to be Fair Queen." A speech at the pageant will also address why the public should attend the fair.

Contestants will also be judged for poise and appearance in an evening gown and on questions asked in a personal interview.

An informational tea will be held at 3 p.m. May 1 in the fairgrounds boardroom. For more information, call 724-625-1977 or 724-355-6320.

To enter, contestants must:

- Reside in Pennsylvania

- Be between 16 and 20 years old by June 1

- Be contending for a first-time fair-queen win

- Have parental consent

- Be single, with no children or previous marriages

- Attend the 2006 state competition in Hershey.