This year’s Swiss Wine Festival will be held from Thursday, August 23rd through Sunday, August 26th — and there is one major change happening for this year’s event.
Instead of the traditional Edelweiss Princess pageant, this year the Festival’s Princess will be chosen through an essay contest — with the winning entrant receiving a $2,000 scholarship. The topic of the essay is “The Heritage of Switzerland County,” and must be at least 500 words in length.
The essay contest is open to the first 15 completed packets that are returned to the Swiss Wine Festival, and the deadline to enter is Sunday, July 15th. A completed entry packet consists of an essay and a contest application.
It is mandatory that the contestant who wins the essay contest attend the 2018 Swiss Wine Festival to function as the 2018 Princess and all duties that are required. The winning contestant will also be required to attend the Indiana State Festival Scholarship Pageant in January representing The Swiss Wine Festival, and comply with all rules of that event.
The official rule of the essay contest include:
1. Entrant agrees to abide by the rules of the Swiss Wine Festival Board of Directors now in effect or as announced hereafter.
2. Entrant agrees that the time, manner and method of judging shall be solely within the discretion of the Swiss Wine Festival Board of Directors and that the decision of the board will be final.
3. Entrant must be born a female. Entrants must be not less than 17 years of age or more than 22 years of age on August 1st, 2018. The Swiss Wine Festival Board of Directors reserves the right to have entrants verify proof of age.
4. Only residents of Switzerland County are eligible for the essay scholarship program and it will be limited to the first 15 applicants received by the Swiss Wine Festival at 105 West Pike Street, Vevay, Indiana, 47043.
5. An entrant must be enrolled in high school or a state-certified college of their choice for the 2018-2019 school years. The Swiss Wine Festival Board of Directors reserves the right to verify college admission and attendance.
6. An entrant must be of good moral character and shall not have been convicted of any crime. She should possess poise, personality, intelligence, charm and the ability to speak in public.
7. An entrant must be single and never have been married nor had her marriage annulled. If during her reign, if the Princess either marries or is expecting a child, she will automatically disqualify herself.
8. An entrant will be judged on their essay of no less than 500 words on the topic of: ‘The Heritage of Switzerland County’. All applications must be typed or clearly written in ink.
9. Each entrant will be interviewed about her essay by a committee of the Swiss Wine Festival Board. Three essays will be selected, and each person will present their essay to the entire Board of Directors. A winner, who will be the 2018 Edelweiss Princess, will then be chosen by the board.
10. A $2,000 scholarship to be awarded to the 2018 winner. Scholarship monies will be sent out upon receipt of college attendance verification. If the Edelweiss Princess is still in high school, the monies will be invested in a 12-month certificate of deposit and held until college attendance verification can be obtained. If she doesn’t further her education after high school, the monies will be donated to the Kirk Works Endowment at the Community Foundation of Switzerland County.
11. The Edelweiss Princess will have an itinerary to follow to fulfill her duties to receive their scholarship monies. She will be required to ride in the Grand Festival Parade on Saturday morning and be expected to volunteer at least three hours of time working events or areas during the festival. Scheduling of time will take place prior to the festival. If she does not complete the three hours of volunteer time, scholarship monies will be forfeited and jeopardize future participation in Swiss Wine Festival programs.
12. The Edelweiss Princess will reign for one year. She may be asked to represent the Swiss Wine Festival on various occasions during the year, and she will crown the next year’s princess. She will be required to attend the Indiana State Festival Scholarship Pageant. This is a two-day event, and the Swiss Wine Festival will pay for your room and mileage to and from your home or respective school if you are enrolled in a college.
13. All essays and applications must be delivered to the Swiss Wine Festival Office located at 105 West Pike Street, Vevay, Indiana 47043 on or before July 15, 2018. A complete entry must include the essay and completed application.
14. Any questions regarding the pageant can be directed to: Kaleesa Archer at (812) 599-9217.