Pageants were the perfect way to raise money. By the 1960s, the service clubs each sponsored a local young woman to represent the club and to compete in a local pageant.

In the case of Smithers, many organizations other than the service clubs also sponsored contestants. The Smithers pageant was one of the few annual events that brought all parts of the community together in healthy competition and fund raising

Each young woman was awarded points for poise, appearance and speaking ability but she was required to sell a complete book of raffle tickets. Beauty and talent helped but it was the ability to sell tickets that made the difference. There were exceptions.

Some local queens for the Rodeo or Saddle Club in Smithers were chosen for their abilities in horse events, but once again our queens were chosen for practical skills rather than simple beauty.