Applications are now being accepted for the title of Mrs. Freeborn County, according to a press release. Mrs. Freeborn County will have the honor of representing her county at the Mrs. Minnesota pageant, which will be March 12, 2016, at Ritsche Auditorium in St. Cloud.

The woman chosen as Mrs. Freeborn County will become an ambassador from the Freeborn County area and will receive the official title and sash.

The woman chosen as Mrs. Minnesota will receive a prize package worth $7,000 and the chance to represent Minnesota at the 2016 Mrs. International Pageant in July.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women is the official charity of the Mrs. Minnesota pageant. To learn more visit www.goredforwomen.org.

The current reigning 2015  Mrs. Minnesota is Kate Howe of Burnsville. Traveling all across the state, Howe  speaks on her platform, “Ignite the Imagination.” According to Howe, one in four children in America will grow up not being able to read. These children will ultimately face poor educational, employment and health outlooks affecting everyone. Howe will help solve these problems by educating parents on the importance of early childhood literacy and continuing to break down the single largest barrier to the development of literacy: access to books. For more information go to www.firstbook.org.

Competition categories in the pageant are personal interview, fitness wear and evening gown. There are no talent or swimsuit competitions.

Married women living in Freeborn County that are interested in applying and send a biography to Mrs. Minnesota, International Pageant, P.O. Box 240537, Apple Valley, MN 55124-0537. An online application can also be filled out at www.mrsminnesota.com. For more information call 952-432-6758 or email pagunltd@frontiernet.net.