Organizers of the Northwest Montana Fair Pro-Rodeo Queen program are rolling out a new format this year aimed at completing pageant activities by the end of June.

The reorganization follows a one-year hiatus from the pageant. No rodeo queen royalty were crowned last year, but the queen, princess and little miss from the previous year reigned over the 2008 Northwest Montana Fair.

In the past, the royalty have been crowned during the fair in mid-August.

The earlier format will allow the winners to participate in more regional rodeo events that typically get under way in early July, pageant board chairman Mike Twillmann said.

By crowning the winners on June 28, it also gives the royalty more time during fair week, he said, adding that many of the contestants exhibit fair projects.

A new board of directors assumed responsibility for the pageant last fall.

The board kicks off the new schedule with an Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. April 11 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds. It's open to the public; admission is $2 per child. Egg hunters will be divided into four age groups (up to age 8) and those who find golden eggs will win special Easter baskets.

Other pageant activities include:

May 2 - Pageant clinic, 9 a.m. at fairgrounds Expo Building; parents welcome.

May 28 - Orientation for contestants and parents, 6:30 p.m. at fairgrounds Country Kitchen; entry deadline at midnight; clothes swap.

June 10 - Little Miss horsemanship practice, 7 p.m., mandatory participation at fairgrounds arena.

June 13 - Photography followed by personal interviews, 10 a.m. at Expo Building; participation mandatory, mothers are invited; sponsorships and biographies are due.

June 17 - Queen and princess horsemanship practice, 7 p.m., mandatory participation at fairgrounds area.

June 19 - Horsemanship competition at fairgrounds arena, 5:30 p.m.

June 25 - Style show, 7 p.m. at Expo Building.

June 26 - Speeches, 7 p.m. at fairgrounds Expo Building.

June 28 - Coronation and banquet, 6 p.m. at fairgrounds Expo Building.

All competition events are open to the public.

For more information about the new pageant schedule, contact any of the board members: Mike Twillmann, 862-1338; Kelly Hawkinson, 212-3421; Christi Young, 250-0730; Michelle Barnes, 257-0808; Tina Engebritson, 752-3443; Jenny Johnson, 752-0650; or April Gaede, 314-0372.