Applications are now being accepted for the 2017 Miss Teen Blossomtime and Miss Heart of Blossomtime pageant.

The Miss Teen Blossomtime pageant is open to young women who reside in southwest Michigan.  Applicants must be between the ages of 13 and 15 by Dec. 17.

The Miss Heart of Blossomtime title is open to residents of communities that do not host a preliminary pageant to Blossomtime. Contestants must be between 17 and 19 years old by March 13, 2017.

The deadline for applications is Nov. 14.

The Miss Teen/Heart theme is “The Bangles.”

The pageant will take place Dec. 17 at the St. Joseph High School auditorium. Doors open at 2:30 p.m., with tickets available in advance at the Blossomtime office for $15 or at the door the day of the pageant for $20.

The Blossomtime Festival Miss Teen takes an active role in the festival, and participates in many of the Blossomtime events, including onstage introduction at the Miss Blossomtime pageant in March, the Blossomtime Youth Parade and the Grand Floral Parade in May.

The Miss Heart of Blossomtime winner will compete for the title of Miss Blossomtime. The pageant takes place March 13 at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center.

Applications and additional information can be found at the Blossomtime Festival website www.blossomtivefestival.org, or by calling the Blossomtime Festival office at (269) 982-8016.