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DeSoto Middle School - Tentative Schedule
April 10, 2026 Jubilee 6:00 PM April 11, 2026 Sweet Gem 1:30 PM Princess 6:00 PM April 12, 2026 Crimson Sweet 1:30 PM Queen 6:00 PM This page is for ages 7 and up.
For ages 6 and under please click here. |
Contestant Entry Fees - $50
Queen | Age 18 - 22, if 19 by October 1, 2026
Jubilee | High School - Age 18, if not 19 by October 1, 2026
Princess | Middle School
Crimson Sweet | Age 9 - 5th Grade
Sweet Gem | Age 7- 8
Queen | Age 18 - 22, if 19 by October 1, 2026
Jubilee | High School - Age 18, if not 19 by October 1, 2026
Princess | Middle School
Crimson Sweet | Age 9 - 5th Grade
Sweet Gem | Age 7- 8
Qualifications
The DeSoto Watermelon Pageants are open to all DeSoto, Charlotte, Hardee, Highlands, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota County residents and college students. Applications and headshots are due by March 1, 2026. No applications will be accepted after March 1st. NO EXCEPTIONS. Entry fees can be paid online with the application.
The MANDATORY Informational Meeting is on March 3, 2026 at DeSoto Middle School at 6:00 PM. Contestants who do not attend the Mandatory Informational Meeting and do not submit their application fee will not be allowed to compete. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Headshots
All contestants will need to submit a headshot with their application. The photos may not have any facial piercings, face altering filters or heavy editing. Photos may not be AI generated. The pose MUST be from the chest up of your contestant. All contestants will need to submit their headshot with their digital application or email to [email protected]. Email Subject should be as follows:
HEADSHOT: Contestant Name.
Headshots are due no later than February 28th, 2026. These will be used for photogenic judging, the program book and the Pick of the Patch contest.
Practices
For all pageants, practices are mandatory. Only contestants may attend practices. Contestants who miss a practice without prior
approval will not be allowed to compete and their entry fee will not be returned. Practices will be in in the DeSoto Middle School cafeteria. Sweet Gem and Crimson Sweet practice is at 5:00pm. Practice for Princess and Jubilee, will be at 6:00 pm. Queen practices will be tentatively be Wednesdays at 5:00pm, otherwise they will be with Jubilee practice.
Admissions to Pageants
Admissions to the pageants on April 10th-12th are $5 per person. Children under 2 are free. Pageant programs will be available for purchase for $5 a piece. The pageants will be held in the DeSoto Middle School Cafeteria.
Winner Responsibility
All winners should be prepared to participate in watermelon events, appearances, and activities that have been scheduled by the director.
The DeSoto Watermelon Pageants are open to all DeSoto, Charlotte, Hardee, Highlands, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota County residents and college students. Applications and headshots are due by March 1, 2026. No applications will be accepted after March 1st. NO EXCEPTIONS. Entry fees can be paid online with the application.
The MANDATORY Informational Meeting is on March 3, 2026 at DeSoto Middle School at 6:00 PM. Contestants who do not attend the Mandatory Informational Meeting and do not submit their application fee will not be allowed to compete. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Headshots
All contestants will need to submit a headshot with their application. The photos may not have any facial piercings, face altering filters or heavy editing. Photos may not be AI generated. The pose MUST be from the chest up of your contestant. All contestants will need to submit their headshot with their digital application or email to [email protected]. Email Subject should be as follows:
HEADSHOT: Contestant Name.
Headshots are due no later than February 28th, 2026. These will be used for photogenic judging, the program book and the Pick of the Patch contest.
Practices
For all pageants, practices are mandatory. Only contestants may attend practices. Contestants who miss a practice without prior
approval will not be allowed to compete and their entry fee will not be returned. Practices will be in in the DeSoto Middle School cafeteria. Sweet Gem and Crimson Sweet practice is at 5:00pm. Practice for Princess and Jubilee, will be at 6:00 pm. Queen practices will be tentatively be Wednesdays at 5:00pm, otherwise they will be with Jubilee practice.
Admissions to Pageants
Admissions to the pageants on April 10th-12th are $5 per person. Children under 2 are free. Pageant programs will be available for purchase for $5 a piece. The pageants will be held in the DeSoto Middle School Cafeteria.
Winner Responsibility
All winners should be prepared to participate in watermelon events, appearances, and activities that have been scheduled by the director.
Important Dates
The informational meeting will begin at 6:00 pm for Sweet Gem, Crimson Sweet, Princess, Jubilee, and Queen at the DeSoto Middle School Cafeteria.
Contestants are required to attend all practices. The informational meeting is mandatory for everyone. Practices are closed and only contestants may attend practices. Contestants who miss a practice without prior approval will not be allowed to compete and their entry fee will not be returned. Queen practices might on Wednesdays depending on the number of contestants.
Saturday February 28, 2026 - All applications, headshots, and entry fees are due digitally.
Tuesday March 3, 2026 - Informational meeting
Tuesday March 10, 2026 - Practice. Program book ads and ad money are due.
Tuesday March 17, 2026 - Practice. Written speech and written sponsor thanks due.
Tuesday March 24, 2026 - Practice. Speech memorized.
Tuesday March 31, 2026 - Practice. All attire due for approval.
Tuesday April 7, 2026 - Practice. Evening gown dress rehearsal.
Thursday April 9, 2026 - Final practice.
Friday April 10, 2026 - Jubilee Pageant.
Saturday April 11, 2026 - Sweet Gem Pageant. Princess Pageant.
Sunday April 12, 2026 - Crimson Sweet Pageant. Queen Pageant.
The informational meeting will begin at 6:00 pm for Sweet Gem, Crimson Sweet, Princess, Jubilee, and Queen at the DeSoto Middle School Cafeteria.
Contestants are required to attend all practices. The informational meeting is mandatory for everyone. Practices are closed and only contestants may attend practices. Contestants who miss a practice without prior approval will not be allowed to compete and their entry fee will not be returned. Queen practices might on Wednesdays depending on the number of contestants.
Saturday February 28, 2026 - All applications, headshots, and entry fees are due digitally.
Tuesday March 3, 2026 - Informational meeting
Tuesday March 10, 2026 - Practice. Program book ads and ad money are due.
Tuesday March 17, 2026 - Practice. Written speech and written sponsor thanks due.
Tuesday March 24, 2026 - Practice. Speech memorized.
Tuesday March 31, 2026 - Practice. All attire due for approval.
Tuesday April 7, 2026 - Practice. Evening gown dress rehearsal.
Thursday April 9, 2026 - Final practice.
Friday April 10, 2026 - Jubilee Pageant.
Saturday April 11, 2026 - Sweet Gem Pageant. Princess Pageant.
Sunday April 12, 2026 - Crimson Sweet Pageant. Queen Pageant.
