PORT GAMBLE — Jayla Moon was already acting the part of Lil S’Klallam Princess last week — helping hand out prizes to the baby contestants and keeping the audience entertained — even before she was crowned.

Jayla followed in her mother Mandi’s footsteps, who was the first S’Klallam Princess 22 years ago.

“It helps remind them of their culture,” said Mandi, waiting in the audience for this year’s Royal Pageant to begin Sept. 9.

What began as a Princess Pageant has become a Royal Pageant, with dozens of youngsters squaring off in five Princess and Warrior categories. Beginning with the baby parade, proud parents show off their dressed-up babies for a cooing audience. From one month to four years, 19 tots were awarded individual titles, with prizes donated by community members.

The older contestants have a little more expected of them. After entering with a song that was written by current S’Klallam King, Forrest Holtyn, the contenders each gave a speech about their family and why they want to be a princess or a warrior, and answered a few questions from the judges: How would you represent the tribe? How would you be a good role model for the youth of S’Klallam? Many said it was important to remain drug- and alcohol-free, a commitment nurtured by the pageant organizers.

This was the second year boys were encouraged to participate in the newly added Warrior categories, but organizer Laura Price said they were still a little shy about signing up. It’s important they participate, she said, so young males feel they represent the tribe as well.

Sr. S’Klallam Princess Miranda Smith, 14, said practicing singing and dancing with the other participants was the most fun part. The participants also performed a traditional S’Klallam dance together.

The winners must stay in school and out of trouble, be good role models, attend community and tribal events, and participate in honor ceremonies and gifting. They are also speakers at canoe events.

The winners: Lil Princess Jayla Moon, Lil Warrior Ian Baze, Jr. Princess Hailey Woodruff, Jr. Warrior Shane Baze, Princess Lillian Ives, Warrior Skyler Fulton, Sr. Princess Miranda Smith, Sr. Warrior Norman Ingraham, Queen Abby Purser and King Forrest Holtyn.

The next day, S’Klallam Days began with a fishing derby at Point Julia, followed by a day of games, contests, cook-offs, and plenty of food with vendors. The S’Klallam Tribe has been hosting an annual festival with competitions and celebrations for around 30 years.

“I [would] easily say it’s the most important community event of the year,” said Sharon Purser, the tribe’s events coordinator. The tribe hosted S’Klallam Days last weekend at the reservation’s offices.

This year, new activities included a photo booth in the gym and a Native storyteller through the Love Talk Play program, a Washington state organization that collaborated with the tribe’s Head Start program.

Purser said about 350 community members turned out for the fest, lower than in earlier years but the new events were “a real hit.”

Kelly Baze, S’Klallam youth program manager, said the Strong Stomach Food Challenge is the most interesting competition. She said although the smell of the food, such as moldy cheese, is nearly too much to bear, “it’s still fun.”