GUSTINE — After a year without a Miss Gustine pageant, organizers are working to revive the long‑running community tradition, with a new competition scheduled for June 26 at GPS Hall.

The pageant, which traces its roots to an earlier event known as Miss Liberty, has been held for decades but has also experienced several interruptions over the years. The most recent pause came in 2025, when a lack of volunteers forced organizers to cancel the event.

“This has been a long‑standing tradition,” coordinator Chandra Brace said. “There have been a number of years that it has faded due to volunteer support, but it has always mattered to this community.”

Brace, who has overseen the pageant for many years, said she began working to bring it back earlier this year. Her motivation is partly personal: her youngest daughter is the current Miss Gustine, serving in the role after the original titleholder resigned and the first runner‑up stepped in.

“I wanted the pageant to come back before she gave up her crown,” Brace said.

Brace said this year’s event will follow the traditional structure. Contestants must live in Gustine and be a high‑school freshman, sophomore, junior or senior. Each participant is required to secure a $600 sponsorship, which helps fund the program.

The pageant has been held at a variety of venues over the years — including the town pool, the high school auditorium, the gazebo, GPS Hall and the Al Goman Center. This year’s competition will return to GPS Hall.

Brace said all rules and event details have been finalized, with judges still to be selected.

Organizers are now working to recruit contestants and judges. Information has been shared on social media, and Brace said outreach will continue until enough participants sign up. A minimum of three contestants is required, though organizers hope for more.

Judges will be invited once the final contestant list is set.

While the pageant has evolved over time, Brace said its purpose remains the same: to celebrate local youth, foster community pride and maintain a tradition that generations of Gustine families have supported.

“Someone willing to volunteer their time to put the event on — that’s been the challenge,” she said. “But the community has always valued this program.”

Organizers say the success of this year’s revival will be measured by participation, community engagement and whether the event can regain the stability needed to continue in future years.