Kentucky Rose of Tralee seeks applicants

The Kentucky Rose of Tralee seeks applicants for the 2016 Rose of Kentucky at this year’s ball, to be held March 19 at Sts. Peter and Paul auditorium, 423 West Short Sreet. Contestants must demonstrate inner beauty, character, confidence and charisma, reflecting the qualities of today’s Irish-American woman. The winner receives an all-expenses-paid trip to Ireland to compete in the Regional Rose of Tralee Festival, featuring nearly 70 young women of Irish heritage from around the world.

Entrants must be between ages 18-27; unmarried; born in Ireland or be of Irish origin; never have previously been a Rose in the International Rose of Tralee selection; and be available for regional final and international festival events. The deadline to apply is Feb. 24. To register, email Contact@failteimports.com or call 859-381-1498.

Entrants must be available for Kentucky Rose Selection events on Feb. 28, for an etiquette and protocol workshop from 3 to 5 p.m. March 5-6, March 11 at the Evening at Castleton Lyons Farm, March 12 for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and March 19 for the annual Rose Ball. If selected to participate in the Tralee International Festival, the winner must be available Aug. 17-23.

The association is also looking for girls ages 6-12 to serve as Rose Buds and to ride the Rose of Kentucky float in the St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 12, and men ages 18-27 to serve as escorts at the ball. Tickets to the ball are available at Failte Irish Imports, 113 S. Upper St. For more information, go to Lexingtonceltic.org.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Kentucky Rose of Tralee seeks applicants."