The Kelli Pickler song "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" was the theme and the First Christian Church Auditorium in Kewanee, IL was the setting for the 23rd annual World Festival Pageants held Saturday, August 1, 2009.  27 contestants were on stage for the competition and in the end nine young ladies  were named either queen or runners-up in three pageants...Little Miss for those age 8 to 11, Junior Miss for those age 12 to 15 and Miss World Festival for young ladies 16 to 21. At right, contestants perform their dance routine.

Those entered compete in evening gown competition (party dress for Little Miss contestants), private interviews in front of a panel of judges and impromptu questions live on stage to reach a composite score that determines the winners. Depending on which pageant they are entered in, winners receive scholarships, savings bonds and cash prizes. All contestants receive merchandise prize packages.  The Queens and their courts then spend their Labor Day weekend opening and hosting most of the festival events as well as making appearances at many other community events throughout their year.

At left, 2008 Little Miss Hope Thorp gives a heartfelt farewell. Master of Ceremonies for 2009 was Dan Craig of Kewanee. Below are photos of this year's royalty (reigning until August 2010) and a listing of other pageant awards. Congratulations to everyone who entered. All 27 contestants learned that they didn't need to do a thing that day but be themselves...because don't you know they ARE beautiful...just the way they are!  The details and entry forms for the 2010 pageants are available here!