Rylan Barr hasn't seen or been in a pageant before. When his parents asked him to be in the Queen Victoria Pageant, the inquisitive 5-year-old said, "Sure."

Ericka Barr, Rylan's mother, said it's a good idea to get her son involved.

"He'll have a good experience and some confidence," she said.

Saturday evening, 37 contestants will hit the stage for the 49th Annual Queen Victoria Pageant.

The students range in age from 4 to 18.

Rylan will compete in the Cowboy Tot division alongside the reigning champ, Javon Burmeister.

Members of the court will reign over the 66th Annual Victoria Livestock Show.

Winners will receive a sash. The girls get a tiara and the boys earn a belt buckle.

Pageant Director Leesa Brown hopes more boys will compete in the pageant in future years.

She said the boys who enter will be at an advantage. "Smart little boys who like girls come out to participate," Brown said.

Queen Victoria Melanie Tesch said it's been a joy serving on the court. The 18-year-old Victoria College student likes being involved in the community.

As a member of the court, Tesch has participated in the Victoria Livestock Show and parades throughout the area.

"Whenever someone needs something, we're there," she said.

Tesch is a little sad about passing the crown, but she will do so with grace.

"I'm excited to see the next queen," she said.

Rylan's older brother, Devin Barr, can't wait to see the queen or the other contestants.

His parents convinced him how much fun he would have in the audience.

"I didn't know until the last minute that cute girls were going to be there," Devin said.

But Rylan said girls are not his priority, he just wants to have fun.

To prepare for the pageant, Rylan spent many hours shopping for clothes.

"We finally found some," he said.

The F. W. Gross Elementary School kindergarten student would rather play baseball or basketball.

Rylan knows he will have certain responsibilities if he earns the title.

"If I win, I get to hand out ribbons," he said.

His mother said he's been a good sport about practicing for the big event at home and at school.

Barr is proud of her son, regardless of what happens.

"I'm just excited to see his reaction, when he sees it all come together," she said.

Cowboy Tot• Name: Rylan Barr

Age: 5

School: Kindergarten, F. W. Gross Elementary

Parents: Ericka and Billy Barr• Name: Javon Burmeister

Age: 5

School: Pre-kindergarten, Schorlemmer Elementary

Parents: Tammi and Jason Burmeister

Cowgirl Tot

• Name: Avery Bartay

Age: 6

School: Kindergarten, F.W. Gross Elementary

Parents: La Sher and James Bartay

• Name: Lauren Lynn Bowen

Age: 5

School: 4-Kindergarten Our Lady of Victory School

Parents: Tiffany and Warren Bowen

• Name: Madison Garcia

Age: 5

School: Pre-kindergarten, Rowland Elementary School

Parents: Deeanna and John Garcia

• Name: Marcaylah D. Gibson

Age: 4

School: Pre-kindergarten, Crain Elementary School

Parents: Lori Lott and Marcus Gibson

• Name: Ella Jander

Age: 4

Parents: LeAnn and Dwight Jander

• Name: Kylee Kutac

Age: 6

School: Kindergarten, Aloe Elementary

Parents: Megan Kutac and Jono Kutac

• Name: Celeste Wagner

Age: 6

School: First grade, Torres Elementary

Parents: Sabrina Wagner and Martin Wagner

Little Miss Cowgirl

• Name: Sawyer Broughton

Age: 9

School: Third grad, Vickers Elementary School

Parents: Lara Broughton and Gary Broughton• Name: Justine Garza

Age: 9

School: Second grade, O'Connor Elementary

Parents: Dora Saenz and Eddie Garza

• Name: Shandi Mumphord

Age: 8

School: Second grade, Crain Elementary

Parents: Lori Lott and Ricky Mumphord

• Name: Jacy Jo Roessler

Age: 7

School: Second grade, Mission Valley Elementary

Parents: Amanda and James Roessler

• Name: Mackenzie Sneath

Age: 9

School: Third grade, William Wood Elementary 2

Parents: Audrey Mozisek and Michael Sneath

Little Mr. Cowboy

• Name: Jack Demmer

Age: 7

School: First grade, Dudley Elementary

Parents: Sarah and Jason Demmer

• Name: Mark Doane

Age: 8

School: Second grade, DeLeon Elementary

Parents: Donna and Guy Doane

• Name: Jon Gonzalez

Age: 7

School: First grade, Nazareth Academy

Parents: Janie Gonzales

Young Queen:

• Name: Sabre Boysen

Age: 11

School: Fifth grade, Victoria Home School

Parents: Patricia and Lawrence Boysen

• Name: Jamara Burmeister

Age: 10

School: Third grade, Schorlemmer Elementary

Parents: Tammi and Jason Burmeister

• Name: Bailey Cisneros

Age: 11

School: Fifth grade, Our Lady of Victory

Parents: Mary and Mark Cisneros

• Name: Kyndall Gonzales

Age: 9

School: Third grade, Bloomington Elementary

Parents: Amy and Javier Gonzales

• Name: Nicole C. Jones

Age: 12

School: Seventh grade, Cade Middle School

Parents: Racheal and Bryan Jones

• Name: Kayla Matthews

Age: 10

School: Fifth grade, Schorlemmer Elementary

Parents: Kendra and James Matthews

• Name: Angelica Piña

Age: 12

School: Seventh grade, Stroman Middle School

Parents: Elsa Pina and Santiago Pina Jr.

Junior Queen

• Name: Sabrina Broughton

Age: 14

School: Freshman, Victoria West High School

Parents: Lara and Gary Broughton

• Name: Caitlynn Burmeister

Age: 13

School: Eighth grade, Victoria Home School

Parents: Tammi and Jason Burmeister

• Name: Scarlett Elsik

Age: 14

School: Freshman, Victoria West High School

Parents: Tess Henry and Randy Elsik

• Name: Sabrina Emiliano

Age: 14

School: Freshman, Industrial High School

Parents: Elsa Emiliano and Romas Emiliano Jr.• Name: Kaitlin Hudson

Age: 15

School: Freshman, Victoria East High School

Parents: Katherine Cobb and Robert Hudson• Name: Morgan Jedlicka

Age: 13

School: Eighth grade, Stroman Middle School

Parents: Holly and Nathan Jedlicka

• Name: Jordan Johnson

Age: 13

School: Eighth grade, Stroman Middle School

Parents: Constance Filley Johnson and George H. Johnson

• Name: Abigail Schneider

Age: 15

School: 10th grade, St. Joseph High School

Parents: Katherine and John Schneider

Queen Victoria:• Name: Lacey Jacob

Age: 18

School: Senior, Goliad High School/Coastal Bend College Parents: Paula and Vance Eggemeyer

• Name: Jenna Lynch

Age: 16

School: Junior, Victoria East High School

Parents: Sherry and Darryl Lynch

• Name: Anastasia Murphy

Age: 18

School: Senior, Victoria West High School

Parents: Julie and Michael Murphy

• Name: Maeci Ratliff

Age: 17

School: Senior, Victoria East High School

Parents: Marilyn and Ken Ratliff

• Name: Danielle Smith

Age: 17

School: Senior, Victoria East High School

Parents: Rene'e and David Smith

• WHEN: 5 p.m. Saturday WHERE: Victoria Fine Arts Center, 1002 Sam Houston Drive COST: $5 FOR MORE INFO: Call Leesa Brown at 361-218-8516 or email leesabrown@hotmail.com