RIPON — The Ripon Chamber of Commerce and Ripon Soroptimist International are staging the 50th Annual Almond Blossom Festival Queen Contest.

The applications will be available on Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at 9 a.m. at the following locations:

• Ripon Chamber Office, 929 West Main Street 

• Ripon High School Office, 304 North. Acacia Ave.

• Ripon Christian High School Office, 435 North Maple Ave.

The deadline for submitting applications to the Ripon Chamber office is Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 before 4 p.m. You must be at least a junior and 16 years of age by December 2, 2011 and not over the age of 19.

Judging criteria include personal interview – score up to twenty (20) points, speech – score up to twenty (20) points, fashion show – modeling – score up to twenty (20) points, essay – blind score up to twenty (20) points, and ticket sales – have to sell 1,000 tickets to get twenty (20) points.

The candidate with the highest score is the queen; she will receive a $1,000 award; next highest scorer is the first runner up and will receive a $500 cash award. Each candidate is capable of earning a cash award for sales exceeding 1,000 tickets. For example, if they sell 1,500 tickets it is a $50 award and if they sell 2,000 tickets it is a $100 award.

For more information, contact Dorothy Booth at the Chamber office, (209) 599-7519.