"2026 Rice Festival Queen Applications due Sept. 23" by: Jessica Shepard

Sentinel Photo/Jessica Shepard Bay City Lions Club members pose with this year's Rice Festival Queen Pageant dress. From left are: Pageant Chairman Ryan Ricks, Festival Chairman Chris Hadash, Club President Chad Craft, and Cory McCray are joined by Green Bros. Jewelers representatives Erin Stone and Amanda Pitard with Pageant Director Rachel Ricks on Aug. 28. The dress and tiara are from El Campo's "New Beginnings Bridal & Prom" while Green Brothers provides the Queen's jewelry.