The inaugural Rainbow of Ribbons pageant has been set for Feb. 9 at The Randolph-Henry High School Auditorium at 3 p.m.

The pageant is being held as a fundraiser for The Barksdale Cancer Foundation.

According to information provided by the pageant committee, the pageant is open to girls and boys, however, pageant information said boy categories will only be available if enough entries are received in each class.

The entry fee will be $45 for the first child and $30 for each additional participant from the same household.

Categories will include tiny miss and tiny mister from birth to age 3. The next lil miss and lil mister category will include ages 4-8. The junior miss category will include girls ages 9-12, the teen miss is slated for 13-16 and Miss Rainbow will see girls ages 17-20 compete for the title.

The deadline to register is Jan. 12.

Additionally, contestants do not have to live in Charlotte County to participate in the event.

“I think it will be unique for our county because it is the first one that will have boys as contestants and all the proceeds will be donated to the Barksdale Cancer Foundation,” said Organizer Teresa Dunaway.

She said she did not think there was one person who had not been affected by the disease in some shape or form.

“This is near and dear to my heart because my daddy fought leukemia for several years before he passed so I know how much this foundation means to families going through cancer,” said Dunaway.

She said she is hoping the new pageant will raise lots of money and bring about awareness for the disease.

“We have had lots of interest shown in the Rainbow of Ribbons Pageant. We think it will be something going on at this event that will make an interesting show for your whole family,” Dunaway said.

Local entertainment will also be provided during the event.

“According to a previous press release from the Barksdale Cancer Foundation organization, “the Barksdale Cancer Foundation is a grassroots organization founded in 1999. Its sole purpose is to give monetary and services support to cancer patients in Charlotte County. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit manned by volunteers.”

Barksdale Cancer Foundation President Wendy Lankford said when the organization was first founded, they were awarded one $500 grant.

“Last year, it (the organization) gave out 33 grants and the grant amounts are being raised again this year, for the second time, to try to keep up with today’s costs,” she said.

Lankford said there is a big need for new fundraising events.

She said the Foundation has given almost $200,000 since being founded in 1999.

The organization provides items such as gas cards, wigs, caps, Ensure, scarves and other assistance to patients in the county.

In addition, the Foundation provides a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior each year from the county who is going to pursue a career in the medical profession, specifically oncology.

“The Barksdale Cancer Foundation was founded in 1999 after the Barksdale family from Phenix … lost three family members in a four year period to cancer. Seeing the anguish experienced during these trying years, the family decided it would like to memorialize their loved ones and at the same time help others in Charlotte County … who were suffering due to the same illness.

Dunaway said the night of the pageant would tell the story of how hope comes in all colors.

For more information, contact Teresa Dunaway at nanaof3c@ yahoo.com or Bridgette Malsbury at bfmalsbury@gmail.com.