Due to requests from the public, the Mineola 150th Anniversary Royalty Court Contest is re-opening for contestants to join the contest through Jan. 31.

The contest is for school-age children, from kindergarten to high school senior. Contestants must reside within the Mineola School District but can be homeschooled

There are titles for each school campus. For primary-age children, from kindergarten through second grade, the winners will be named either Little Mister or Little Miss Choo Choo. At the elementary level, third through fifth grades, the titles will be Little Mister or Little Miss Iron Horse Mineola. At middle school level, sixth through eighth grades, the winner will be Mister or Miss Iron Horse Mineola. At the high school level, ninth through 12th grades, the winning titles are Mister or Miss Main Street Mineola.

Some contestants have already begun competing, but more can sign up if they choose. 

The winners will be members of a historic group, the one and only Mineola 150th Anniversary Royalty Court. 

Contestants compete by selling special merchandise, all bearing the special Mineola Sesquicentennial logo which is also displayed in a mural on S. Johnson St. in downtown. The merchandise includes a choice of seven styles of drinking tumblers, a beach towel, Christmas ball ornaments, commemorative coins, caps, lapel pin, keychain and tee shirts. Money raised will go toward sesquicentennial activities throughout the year.

Merchandise sales will conclude March 31, and the winners will be crowned in a coronation on April 29 at the Mineola Civic Center. Winners will get the opportunity to represent the town as the Sesquicentennial Royalty. 

First runners-up will also be awarded in each category.

A previous sign-up was held before Christmas time. Since that was such a busy time, some children who might have been interested may have not gotten signed up. Please go to Mineola City Hall on Thursdays, Jan. 19 or 26 from 4-5 p.m. to sign-up. For any questions you can contact Doris Newman at Mineola City Hall at 903-569-6183 or email mainstreet@mineola.com. 

This is just one of many events taking place during this year to celebrate the founding of Mineola in 1873.