BELHAVEN — Twenty-two contestants are vying for three pageant titles to be awarded during Belhaven’s 74th annual Fourth of July celebration, which kicks off Friday evening.

Four days of activities run through Monday, when the festivities conclude with a parade and fireworks.

Highlights of the traditional celebration include the selection of Little Miss Independence, Young Miss Independence and Miss Independence. Joy Jarvis directs the Little Miss event, while Elizabeth Harris oversees the selection of the other two titleholders.

Two winners will be crowned Saturday during a joint pageant beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Wilkinson Center, according to Harris. Up for grabs that evening are the Young Miss and Miss Independence crowns.

“Young Miss will compete in evening gown and onstage question, patriotic wear and physical fitness,” Harris noted. “The Miss Independence contestants have a private interview with the three judges, and they’ll compete onstage in evening gown, creative expression and swimsuit.”

The selection of the Belhaven queens isn’t solely based on beauty, Harris pointed out.

“The judges are looking for someone who could be able to be a spokesperson out in the community,” she said. “So they’re looking for someone with confidence, poise and good communication skills.”

Harris said she is grateful for the support local businesses continue to give the pageants, which includes monetary and prize donations. Young Miss Independence will receive a $100 cash award and Miss Independence is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship to use in furthering her education.

Competing for the Young Miss crown are Emma Rice, 14, daughter of Shaw and Shanna Rice of Washington; Sierra Sanderson, 14, daughter of Cory and April Sanderson of Pantego; Macy Radcliffe, 14, daughter of Reid and Penelope Radcliffe of Pinetown; and Alexis Ziff, 14, daughter of Pete Ziff and Susan Jefferson of Pantego.

Vying for the title of Miss Independence this year are Autumn Andrews, 16, daughter of Paul and Dana Andrews of Belhaven; Bailey Gerard, 16, daughter of Walt and Laura Gerard of Washington; Madison Tyer, 18, daughter of Amanda Woolard of Washington; Madison Tetterton, 16, daughter of Erick and Dawn Tetterton of Pinetown; Macy Morgan, 16, daughter of Mike and Marcy Morgan of Belhaven; Ashley Paszt, 18, daughter of Ricky and Debbie Paszt of Pinetown; and Faith Bell, 16, daughter of Greg and Jodi Bell of Pantego.

The crowning of Little Miss Independence is set for Monday beginning at 9 a.m. on the Wilkinson Center lawn. Following the pageant, the new titleholders will make their first official appearances in the Belhaven parade, which rolls at 11 a.m.

Little Miss contestants are Sophie Bagley, 5, daughter of Matthew and Dawn Bagley of Pantego; Millie Smith, 4, daughter of Darren and Angie Smith of Bath; Ella Nelson, 4, daughter of Jonathan and Melissa Nelson of Belhaven; Alaina Bowen, 4, daughter of Tony and Amber Bowen of Belhaven; Ricki Groome, 5, daughter of Kevan and Peggy Groome of Belhaven; Aubrey Moss, 5, daughter of Parks and Brooke Moss of Bath; Henley Gibbs, 6, daughter of Matthew and Loren Gibbs of Swan Quarter; Hailie Roberts, 4, daughter of Ronnie and Jessica Crider of Belhaven; Blakley Thompson, 5, daughter of Bradley and Bridgette Hudnell of Belhaven; Kloey Sadler, 5, daughter of Nick and Mindy Sadler of Swan Quarter; and Caroline Evans, 5, daughter of Shawn and Jennifer Evans of Washington.