The search is on for the 2014 Great Allentown Fair Queen, a young woman selected to make appearances and represent the fair's mission during the event's Labor Day week run, at the State Fair Queen Contest in January and in the community throughout the year.

The Lehigh County Agricultural Society, the nonprofit organization that has been operating the fair for 162 years, is looking for contestants from Lehigh, Northampton and Berks counties that possess an ability to communicate enthusiasm for the Allentown Fair, local farming and the agricultural industry.

Young women ages 16 to 20 years of age are encouraged to enter the competition that awards a $1,000 scholarship presented by Lehigh-Northampton Pomona Grange 68 to the winner who will reign over various activities at the upcoming Allentown Fair running Aug. 26-Sept. 1. The deadline for registration is June 13.

The queen's duties extend to promoting the fair's purpose all year at events and speaking engagements throughout the community. She will also go on to vie for the title of Pennsylvania State Fair Queen in Hershey in January, a position that involves visiting fairs throughout the Commonwealth during the summer months of 2015.

The new Allentown Fair Queen will be selected Aug. 17 and be introduced at the fair's annual opening ceremonies Aug. 26. Last year's queen Erin Schantzenbach of Coopersburg will return to crown her successor.

All contestants must comply with the Pennsylvania State Fair Queen Program rules and be able to compete in the State Fair Queen Contest in Hershey, Pennsylvania in January 2015.

As a scholarship program, contestants are judged on a written essay, a personal interview with the judging panel and an on-stage introduction and speech presentation on the topic "Why you should come to The Great Allentown Fair."

For more information and all forms for entry, go online at www.allentownfairpa.org and click on "Contests" or contact Contest Chairperson Terri Williams at 610-433-7541 or twilliams@allentownfair.com