Ten reigning Queens from various festivals around the country stood on a stage last night at Prince Charles Park to compete for the Miss Fiji crown at the upcoming Miss Pacific Islands Pageant.

This is the first time that such a pageant is being held in the country.

Previously the winner from the Vodafone Hibiscus Festival would automatically win the Miss Fiji title and go on to represent Fiji at the regional pageant.

The 10 contestants are from Nadi, Lautoka, Ba, Rakiraki, Sigatoka, Levuka, Labasa, Tavua and Nausori and the capital Suva.

At the launch of the pageant chairman Hirdesh Prasad said the pageant is a platform to create awareness on different aspects of country as well as to reaffirm our nationhood that is made up of Fijians from different cultures.

Officials from the pageant will host events from 17th to 24th October as part of the festival program.

The theme for the pageant is: “A celebration of diversity and unity in moving Fiji forward.”