IRON COUNTY – The newest Miss Iron County will be crowned at this Saturday’s pageant that will take place at 7 p.m. in the Canyon View High School auditorium.

This year’s theme is “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” Angela Eyre, pageant organizer, said.

“It’s going to be a great show,” Eyre said. “It will be upbeat with a lot of singing and dancing to Broadway-type music.”

The main production number has been choreographed by Heather Sprouse of On Stage Dance Studio, Eyre said, and some of their dancers will be featured in the piece.

The outgoing Miss Iron County, Delaney Westfall, will be at the pageant to pass on her crown to the upcoming winner and to serve as the evening’s MC, along with Kari Curletto, stage actress and entertainer.

“(Delaney) has incredible vocal talent,” Eyre said, and she will be performing at the pageant as well.

Twelve contestants will be vying for the crown this year: Kellie Terry, Nicole Terry, Laura Bugg, Ashlee Aitken, Cheyenne White, McCall Nielson, Crystal Cardon, Aimee Peterson, Katie Bulloch, Lyndsay Hancock, Stephanie Grass and Brittney Evans.

The contestants will be competing in several categories according to the Miss America Pageant System: a personal interview, worth 35 percent of the final score; an onstage question, worth 5 percent; swimwear, worth 15 percent; evening wear, worth 20 percent; and a talent, worth 25 percent.

The personal interview will take place earlier in the day and is private, but the rest of the categories will take place at the pageant.

The contestants are also required to raise $100 for the Children’s Miracle Network as part of a new partnership between the CMN and the Miss America Organization.

The major responsibilities of Miss Iron County take place in the weeks following the pageant, Eyre said. The winner will serve as a host of the Iron County Fair and will attend and participate in most of the fair’s events.

Additionally, Miss Iron County makes several appearances and has speaking engagements throughout the year while preparing for the Miss Utah pageant in June.

Part of preparing for the Miss Utah pageant includes working on and promoting a platform, which will be highlighted throughout the year for Miss Iron County.

“We’re looking for an amazing young woman who can represent Iron County well,” Eyre said.

Tickets for the 2010 Miss Iron County Pageant can be purchased in advance from any of the contestants for $5. They can also be purchased at the door for $6 for adults and $3 for children 11 and under.

Last year’s pageant had very long lines to purchase tickets at the door, Eyre said, so she recommended showing up early.