Miss Gem Stampede 2017 to be selected Oct. 15

The Miss Gem Stampede Pageant will take place Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

Four contestants will vie for the 2017 title which comes with a scholarship, trophy saddle, custom buckle, traveling crown and more.

Miss Gem State Stampede 2016 Cassy Ripatti has traveled roughly 2,400 miles to attend rodeos, parades and community events throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The contestants will be judged on their horsemanship skills, speaking ability, a personal interview and their rodeo knowledge. There will be two rounds of horsmanship judging: one on a draw horse the contestant has never ridden before. During the second round, contestants will ride a pattern on their own horses and perform a flag presentation.

During the speech and modeling judging, each contestant will give a short speech and then model a formal western outfit. Impromptu questions will cover current events, rodeo knowledge, personality and then a judge’s question.

Horsemanship judging and interviews will take place from 9:45 to 11:30 a.m. in the main rodeo arena. Speeches and modeling will be held from 2:45 to 4 p.m. in building 3 at the fairgrounds.

Events are open to the public and admission is free.