How to Participate in the Miss Cinco De Mayo Pageant

While Cinco de Mayo celebrates a stunning Mexican military victory over the French in the 1862 Battle of Puebla, the day has since taken on a wider significance. Today's Cinco de Mayo festivities are more pronounced north of the border in many larger U.S. cities, particularly in the West. As part of the fiesta in certain places such as San Marcos, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah, a Miss Cinco de Mayo is crowned for the year.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Local Miss Cinco de Mayo contest
• Application
• Dress
• Shoes

1. Make sure your city or area has a Miss Cinco de Mayo pageant in which to participate. While there are many Cinco de Mayo celebrations now in the United States, only a handful of them feature Miss Cinco de Mayo pageants, and they are only be open to residents of the area.
2. Read the rules carefully before you turn in your application. Some pageants require contestants to be bilingual to participate, or there may be registration fees.
3. List your accomplishments in ways that best represent your local Mexican community. Most applications will ask for a summary of awards, prizes, goals, activities and more.
4. Select a formal evening gown before you participate. Concentrate on selecting a dress that is flattering and not too revealing or showy. You can find suitable gowns at your local mall or prom or wedding gown retailer. You will also need shoes and the appropriate accessories to achieve a polished, pageant-ready look.
5. Practice your public speaking with a friend or family member. You may be asked questions about your goals or knowledge of Cinco de Mayo. Concentrate on communicating your thoughts clearly without rambling or veering off track.

Tips & Warnings

• Read the Miss Cinco de Mayo contest rules for the contest near you. Some contests skew younger, while others are for adults with an accompanying Little Miss Cinco de Mayo contest for children.
• Some Miss Cinco de Mayo pageants are actually called Reyna de la Fiesta (Queen of the Party), Reyna del Cinco de Mayo or some similar Spanish term.
• Some Miss Cinco de Mayo contests require significant entry fees, such as the $50 entry fee in San Marcos, Texas. Be aware of this requirement before you go too far in the process.
• Before applying to a pageant, particularly one with an entry fee, find out how far away you can live from the pageant and still qualify as being from the area. Each pageant will have its own rules regarding this distance.