From the young ambassadors to the high school students vying for the title of Miss Escalon, there’s never a shortage of pageantry to go along with the city’s annual Park Fete celebration.

This year’s Miss Escalon Pageant is scheduled for Wednesday, July 11 at 6 p.m. at the Escalon Community Center. Those in the running are, in alphabetical order, Kiara Ancheta, Jessica Fernandez, Kayla Kemp, Madison Matsunami, Lauren Trejo and Cady Wing.

This year, only presale tickets were available for the dinner and pageant, with dinner served at 6 p.m. and the pageant itself expected to start about 7 p.m.

The new Miss Escalon and members of her court will represent the city at various events during the year and also assist locally at a number of Chamber of Commerce-related activities and programs. They will be introduced to the community when they ride in the Saturday morning Park Fete parade.

For Little Miss and Mr. Escalon, their pageant will be Thursday, July 12 at 6 p.m., also at the Community Center. No charge to attend. Those hoping to become the new Little Miss Escalon are Presley Fidanque, Emily Govia, Sofia Lozano, Perri Rodrigues and Kirsten Yater and Little Mr. Escalon hopefuls include Joshua Baliel, Spencer Brown and Dillon Simmons. They, too, will ride in the Saturday parade.

Previously, helping kick off the Park Fete Week festivities, the luncheon celebrating John and Marylyn Salvin as this year’s Senior Mr. and Mrs. Escalon was hosted Tuesday, July 10 at the city’s Community Center. The luncheon features special presentations to the honored couple, as they are recognized for their contributions to the community.

“Typically, this has been given to those that have lived here for years,” noted Lions Club member Robert Swift, adding that though the Salvins moved here during their later years, that didn’t stop them from making the city their own.

“In terms of having an impact, it’s huge,” Swift pointed out. “Almost any event in town, they are there and it really is a team.”

Among the most well-known projects, the couple has been deeply involved in the annual Autumn Cruise and the pre-cruise events for years, helping insure the success of the Lions Club scholarship fundraiser.

The Saturday morning parade, meanwhile, will step off at 11 a.m. on July 14 and leading the way this year will be Grand Marshal Gary Haskin. The selection was done by the Park Fete Committee, said Swift, which includes some Lions Club members and a number of community volunteers.

Haskin was chosen for his impact on Escalon over the year.

“He’s been in the Lions Club, spent all those years on the City Council, given an awful lot back to this community,” Swift said.

The Escalon Lions Club is the primary sponsor for this year’s Park Fete, in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and with the support of many local businesses and residents, including parade assistance from the Escalon American Legion.

Swift said organizers are looking forward to another successful year, putting on the mid-summer celebration for the community.