The time to crown the peachiest young woman Penticton has to offer is nearly upon us.

During Peach Festival, a panel of judges will choose 2009's Miss Penticton or the 62nd Queen Val Vedette.

The event is steeped in tradition, which is evident even through the title the winner will hold.

In 1948, the year of the first Miss Penticton pageant, the winner was crowned Queen Val Vedette—a title chosen from the names of three popular peach varieties, which were Valiant, Veteren and Vedette.

“This year we have seven contestants,“ said Jo Sommerfeld, the pageant's co-ordinator. “But we’ve had years where there have been over 15. It’s an event steeped in tradition that’s very exciting and rewarding for everyone involved.”

Each candidate must be in Grade 11 or 12 at either Pen Hi or Princess Margaret and are judged on talent, private interviews, speech, evening gown and impromptu questions. Along with the Queen Val Vedette, the judges choose two princesses to accompany her throughout the year. All three must be willing to put in a lot of time if they are picked.

“Miss Penticton, and her two Princesses travel with the Peachfest float throughout B.C., Alberta and the State of Washington with our Peach Festival Float promoting the City of Penticton," said Sommerfeld. "From January to the pageant in August, they meet every week to receive training in time management, super host, resume writing, and things like etiquette as well as deportment.”

This year's candidates are Miss Firefighters Holly Anthony, Miss Penticton School of Dance Kirsti Hack, Miss Ironman Canada Marlee Jack, Miss Lions Club Anna Klering, Miss Morpheus Graphics Jenny Lee, Miss Loco Landing Bryana Phipps and Miss Penticton Lakeside Resort Ellen Tribe.

The 2009 crowned winner and her princesses will be atop the Peachfest float Saturday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. as the float travels up Main and then over Lakeshore.

Peachfest is an annual, South Okanagan Valley tradition, which first began in 1947, to celebrate the peach harvest in Penticton, British Columbia. The 62nd annual Peachfest will kick off Wednesday, Aug. 5 on the shores of Okanagan Lake in Downtown Penticton.

The 2009 Miss Penticton Pageant will be held on Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Cleland Theatre. For tickets, please call Jo at Hartford Travel at 250-493-2000 extension 103.

For more info on all the contestants and past royalty, visit www.peachfest.com/royalty.