GEORGETOWN — The 50th anniversary of the Georgetown Fair queen pageant has 27 girls vying for the glittering crown.

The first Georgetown Fair queen, Sharon Snook Tippsword, was named the inaugural queen in 1960, and had a more modest crown made of flowers and pipe cleaners.

That fact is just one interesting tidbit pageant directors Jill Pope and Karen Thornsbrough have uncovered during their planning for the upcoming 50th pageant.

Contact was made with all 50 queens and around 40 plan to return Monday night to be included in the pageant, which begins at 6 p.m. at the grandstands. Past queens will be involved in the opening number and then will be introduced individually in three phases throughout the pageant.

“They’re all very excited to come back,” said Thornsbrough. “It should be really fun.”

A reception on Sunday is planned for former queens, current candidates and 2009 Queen Chelsea Tarquini.

Memorabilia from past pageants, including vintage gowns and the 1960 sash worn by Snook Tippsword, will be on display.

“The first queen is going to speak to all the contestants,” Pope said.

This year’s pageant has a high number of candidates, but having nearly 30 run for the honor isn’t unheard of. Last year, 28 girls vied for the title.

Going for the crown Monday night are:

• Kayli Plotner, 18, of Oakwood, daughter of Rhonda Ratliff and the late Mark Plotner.
• Kathy Carroll, 18, of Westville, daughter of Cindy Hall.
• Taylor Piatt, 17, of Westville, daughter of Todd and Lori Piatt.
• Ashley Wahlfeldt, 16, of Fithian, daughter of Scott and Tracy Wahlfeldt.
• Makenzie Shafer, 16, of Catlin, daughter of Jason Shafer and Renee Abbott.
• Kayla Saylor, 19, of Georgetown, daughter of Aneita Dalbey and Jeff Saylor.
• Amanda Stanton, 17, of Georgetown, daughter of Kim and Jim Stanton.
• Abigail Foster, 17, of Hoopeston, daughter of Angela and Thomas Foster.
• Danielle Sacre, 18, of Catlin, daughter of Brad and Leslie Sacre.
• Sawyer Winland, 18, of Georgetown, daughter of Jeff and Michelle Winland.
• Lindsey Hughes, 18, of Danville, daughter of Shawn and Ladell Hughes.
• Kaylee Nesbitt, 19, of Georgetown, daughter of Alan and Carla Nesbitt.
• Melissa Miller, 18, of Danville, daughter of Darlene and Richard Miller.
• Sabrina Park, 20, of Danville, daughter of Tim and Mary Park.
• Kasey Atchison, 20, of Danville, daughter of Michael and Brenna Atchison.
• Lauren Jaynes, 19, of Danville, daughter of Perry and Sherry Jaynes.
• Amber Roberts, 17, of Danville, daughter of Terry and Sandy Roberts.
• Desiree Bainbridge, 16, of Fairmount, daughter of Steve and Jennifer Bainbridge.
• Kelsie Lomax, 17, of Danville, daughter of Dody and Mike Lomax.
• Hayley Lockwood, 17, of Catlin, daughter of JJ and Jennifer Lockwood.
• Kaitlyn Henderson, 16, of Westville, daughter of Jeremy and Amy Stinespring.
• Britny Hoag, 18, of Fairmount, daughter of Lisa and Andrew Hoag.
• Alexandria Hannan, 19, of Westville, daughter of Mike and Ruthie Hannan.
• Molly Smythe, 16, of Danville, daughter of John and Judy Smythe.
• Lynzie Fields, 17, of Tilton, daughter of Lori and Butch Fields.
• Jennifer Osborn, 18, of Potomac, daughter of Elizabeth and George Osborn.
• Jordan Arford, 17, of Bismarck, daughter of Gregory and Omeika Arford.