Poulsbo’s biggest celebration of the year will be getting a new leader tonight as Christ Memorial Church sets the stage for eight local ladies looking to do their hometown proud. That last word is what it’s all about, really.

Pride.

Events like this keep Little Norway feeling little, despite the fact that Poulsbo is a city on the grow and that Viking Fest draws an estimated 30,000 visitors to town. There’s a certain emotion that captures one and all as the Miss Viking Fest Royal Court makes its way down Front Street. It’s exciting.

“I know those gals!” many realize as they applaud them on their way.

Miss Viking Fest might be relatively new on the pageantry block but it’s doing great things in the community and giving local girls yet another reason to hold their heads high. Win or not at CMC, those who participate can certainly walk away with a sense of accomplishment (and possibly $500 or more in scholarship money to help them in their quest for higher education).

With Viking Fest less than a month away and organizers busy as usual, the pageant provides a nice break — if you can call it that — to put things in perspective for all involved. The celebration. The pageant. The parade. It’s all about showing pride in our community and more importantly, our youth.

On that note, we wish the best of luck to Deziray, Kelsey, Emily, Whitey, Jessica, Katee, Jasmine and Elizabeth as they share the spotlight tonight.