Madison’s Independence Day celebration will premiere the first annual Miss Stars and Stripes Forever Fourth of July Pageant.

The City of Madison is sponsoring the pageant during the Stars and Stripes Forever July 4th Celebration at Dublin Park.

All contestants will rehearse on stage at Malcolm Field at Dublin Park on July 3 at 5 p.m., Gayle Milam said. Milam works as volunteer coordinator for the City of Madison.

On July 4, contestant check-in for the pageant is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. The pageant begins at 2 p.m.

Contestants will be grouped in six age groups. Infants to babies that are 23 months old will be in the Little Miss Firecracker category. The other categories are Little Miss Sparkler for two- to four-year-olds; Little Miss Freedom for five- to seven-year-olds; Little Miss Liberty, eight- to 10-year-olds; Miss Fourth of July for 11- to 13-year-olds; and Miss Stars and Stripes for teenagers in the 14-16 age bracket.

“Contestants will compete in casual patriotic wear. Any outfit or costume with red, white and blue or a patriotic theme will be acceptable,” Milam said. “Be creative. Have fun with this.”

The pageant entry fee is $20. No refunds will be given for cancellations.

Each registered contestant will receive a trophy. “Winners in each age division will receive a tiara, sash and trophy,” Milam said. Runners-up, based on number of entries, will receive a sash and trophy.

Proceeds from the pageant will benefit the Youth Scholarship Fund for the City of Madison Parks and Recreation Department. “Scholarships are made available to youth in our area for various recreation programs,” Milam said.

Applications are available at the city’s website, madisonal.gov, and should be mailed to Miss Stars and Stripes Forever Pageant, 8324 Old Madison Pike, Madison AL 35758.

For more information, call 256-772-2557 or send email to gayle.milam@madisonal.gov.