After a two-year break, the Clanton Police Department Auxiliary and Explorer’s program will again sponsor its St. Patrick’s Day Charity Beauty Pageant.

The pageant is back on for 2012 and will benefit efforts to help kids in Alabama with juvenile diabetes.

“The pageant had become very popular and successful over the years, but with scheduling conflicts, the huge amount of prep time it takes to put on a national level caliber pageant, and the status of the economy, it had just gotten to be a little too much, so we stepped back and took a break,” said Officer David Hicks, with the Clanton Police Auxiliary and Explorer Director. “The whole time during the break, we were continuously getting asked, ‘When are you doing another pageant?’”

This year’s pageant will be held Saturday, March 17, 2012, at the Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center at Jefferson State Community College.

The cost for entering the pageant is $60 between now and Dec. 31; after then, it will be $75.

The pageant will have three overall divisions with three age groups per division. Each age group within the division will have a queen, three alternates and various other award winners.

Various prizes will be given to award winners, and everyone who participates will receive a trophy, charm bracelet and more.

The last time the pageant was held, 89 girls participated, Hicks said.

Pageant registration forms are available at the Clanton Police Department, The Clanton Advertiser, Bahama Drama, Beau’s Po Boys and Pizza, Brenda’s Formal Wear, C&C Trophy and Jemison Elementary School. Full details about the pageant are on the registration forms.

The last day to register will be March 1. All entries must be turned in or postmarked by that date.

For more information, call 258-5201 or email irishdreamproductions@yahoo.com.

Admission to the pageant will be $5 at the door. Kids age 3 and under will get in for free.