“Hilltops residents are invited to inject some local glitz and glamour into the 2018 National Cherry Festival by entering the annual Cherry Festival Queen and King Competition,” Cherry Festival Committee president Caitlin Sheehan said.

The committee are asking for expressions of interest from local men and women aged over 18 years, married or single, who would like to take part.

“The Cherry Queen and King competition is a traditional feature of Young’s harvest festival and the organising committee is keen to finalise entrants as soon as possible,” Mrs Sheehan said.

The entrants for the 2018 competition will be officially introduced at the Cherry Blossom Long Lazy Lunch on September 23.

Mrs Sheehan has first-hand experience of the festival having entered the competition herself and was crowned the winner in 2014.

“I would like to invite people to really embrace the opportunity this year,” she said.

Mrs Sheehan believes the quest has a strong community component with entrants raising money for a favourite local charity or local community group.

Mrs Sheehan said the competition benefits all who are involved including community organisations and businesses that may wish to lift their profile by sponsoring a candidate.

“For entrants there is a range of activities to participate in, and an impressive list of prizes too,” she said.

The committee are encouraging anyone locally who is passionate about the region and would like to represent the community to pop in or call the Young Visitor Centre for an Introduction pack. Packs can also be emailed to those who are interested.

The official competition winner will be announced during a crowning ceremony to be held on Saturday December 1 after the street parade at 5pm.