Two deserving local residents are going to reign supreme after this evening’s 68th St. John Sugar Queen and Teen Pageant.

Presented as “Once Upon a Time,” the night is sure to be filled with a fairy tale adventure as princesses and storybook characters make their appearances.

Sponsored by the St. John Sugar Queen Committee and St. John the Baptist Parish, the pageant gets started at 7 p.m. today at St. John Theatre in Reserve.

Those crowned enjoy the honor of representing St. John Parish at the State Sugar Festival in New Iberia.

The box office opens at 5:45 p.m. today for tickets, which are $12 a person.

Organizers stress the Sugar Pageant is one of the parish’s premier events, helping promote a great deal of pride in St. John. Past queens have been outstanding ambassadors, showcasing the spirit of St. John Parish at home and in statewide competition.

Miss St. John Parish Sugar Queen the 67th, Darian Marse, Teen Queen Jade Brady, along with the St. John Parish Sugar Queen Committee invite everyone to celebrate the crowning of the new queens.

The teen and miss competitions occur simultaneously.

Three contestants are vying for Miss St. John Parish Sugar Queen, and six contestants are competing for the title of Teen St. John Sugar Queen.

Miss contestants include Kassidy Duhe, daughter of Brandon Duhe and Bridget Gentry; Ashley Mince, daughter of Alan and Arlene Mince; and Heather Roussel, daughter of Roger and Lori Roussel.

Teen contestants include Abbie Duhe, daughter of Mark and Allison Maurin and EJ Duhe; Ma Coi Hollins, daughter of Carnell and Quo Vadis Hollins; Christina Hood, daughter of Joseph and Julie Hood; Alicia Perret, daughter of Jonathan and Aimee Perret; Savannah St. Pierre, daughter of Shane St. Pierre and Casey Jacob; and Ali Vicknair, daughter of Wayne and Jenni Vicknair.

Returning in the dual role of master of ceremonies at this year’s pageant are Michael Hoover and Chrissy Carter Cifuentes, who served as the 2011 St. John Sugar Queen.

Entertainment consists of several local talents featuring storybook characters and fairy tale princesses. Appearances by Katelyn Stelly Gulotta, Gabrielle Treas and Marcey Bordelon are planned.

Tuxedo models from Formal Connection are also planned.

The Sugar Teens dance will consist of current eighth and ninth graders from surrounding schools in the parish.

The contestants will be depicting their favorite fairy tale or storybook characters during their introduction. It will be followed by an evening gown competition.

Earlier in the day, contestants will be judged in an interview. Included this year is the question: If they could have a platform to promote in our community, what would it be and why?

Organizers said they look forward to helping the new queens promote their platform in the community.

“It is always good to encourage our youth to be involved in the community, and this is a way we can promote that,” Maria Hotard Stelly said.