CROWLEY - The 76th International Rice Festival Queen’s Pageant will be held this weekend. Five contestants will compete vying for the 2012 crown.

Mixed in with entertainment from the Ricettes, the new queen will be crowned by the 75th International Rice Festival Queen Macy Leblanc Saturday, Oct. 20. The pageant is slated for a 10 a.m. beginning with visiting queens introducing themselves at 9:45 a.m. and crowning slated for 10:40 a.m.

The 2012 queen will represent the International Rice Festival, the city of Crowley and the rice industry for the year.

Her reign will include her attendance of several balls, and she will also attend the Rice Millers Association Convention and travel throughout the state reigning at several fairs and festivals.

In addition to the crown, banner and title, the new queen will also receive scholarships. The scholarships include the Bill Williams Memorial Scholarship as well as the Sonic Drive In, Cajun Country Rice, Union Pacific and Sen. Dan Morrish scholarships.

The queen will also not only have a busy year, but it will all start with a busy Saturday as she will be one of the features of the grand parade that will roll along Parkerson Avenue at 3 p.m. All five contestants will be in the parade, however.

This year the competitors for the title are Mary Kristen Matte, Caitlin Simone Clayton, Emma Kathryn Jumper, Sarah Jane Mouton and Harlea Holmes.

Mary Kristen Matte, daughter of Mendy and Keith Matte, is representing the city of Rayne. She is currently attending Louisiana State University at Eunice. Kayla’s favorite subjects are biology and math. Her future plans are to graduate from medical school and take annual mission trips. Mary’s hobbies include dancing, watching football and baseball with loved ones, mud riding, tubing and frogging.

Caitlin Simone Clayton, daughter of Gwen and Joey Foreman and Joseph Clayton, is representing the city of Crowley, and is sponsored by the Crowley Professional Women’s Club. She is a student at Louisiana State University at Eunice. Caitlin’s favorite subjects are psychology and art history. Her future plans are to earn a PhD in psychology and become a clinical psychologist. Caitlin’s hobbies include playing music, painting or drawing, baking, reading and watching movies.

Emma Kathryn Jumper, daughter of Pam and Tommy Jumper, is representing the Arkansas Rice Festival. She is a student at Mississippi State University. Emma’s favorite subject is oral communications. She is a member of Chi Omega, Baptist Student Union, Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association and is a special projects intern with Jimmy Sanders Marketing. Emma’s hobbies include piano, reading, cooking, traveling, photography and working on the family cattle ranch.

Sarah Jane Mouton, daughter of Mona and Marc Mouton, is representing the Louisiana Cattle Festival. She is a student at Louisiana State University. Sarah’s favorite subjects are marketing and advertising. She is the president of Alpha Lambda Delta, executive director of Up ‘til Dawn and captain of the LSU Relay for Life team. Sarah’s hobbies include bargain shopping, dodgeball, volleyball and webmastering.

Harlea Holmes, daughter of Kim and Billy Holmes, is representing McNeese State University’s Chi Omega Fraternity. She is a student at McNeese State University. Harlea’s favorite subjects are mass communication and English classes. Her future plans are to graduate from McNeese State University with a degree in mass communication majoring in public relations and broadcasting. Harlea’s hobbies include scrapbooking, baking, traveling, shopping, working out and, of course, supporting, the McNeese Cowboys.