FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. - The crown is returning to Levi Coffin Days as Fountain City revives its royal court tradition.

Shawntel Baker of the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce is helping organize the event and said the idea came while community leaders were discussing a grant match to improve the Fountain City playground.

"As I was putting all that together, it's like how do I and our community help with that match grant? And then it hit me, why are we not bringing back the Queen contest?" said Baker, in an interview with 101.7 The Point.

The former queen contest dates to 1980, according to newspaper clippings and other records organizers found. The original contest was limited to girls ages 16 to 18.

This year, organizers have expanded it into a royal court with three divisions: Little Miss for students in second through fifth grade, Princess for sixth through eighth grade and Queen for ninth through 12th grade.

"We have a great school district, we have northeastern. So why are we not capitalizing it with all of our students?" Baker said.

Students must be enrolled in the Northeastern School District to participate.

The competition also will differ from a traditional pageant. Participants will raise money, with the top fundraiser in each division earning the title.

Organizers are replacing the penny collections used in the past with individual QR codes that participants can share with friends and family.

"We are going to create a special QR code and then they can share it...and then donations just go directly that way," Baker said.

Former Levi Coffin Days queens and runners-up are also being invited back to participate in the crowning ceremony and parade.

"We'd like to have as many Queen runner-ups with us and helping do that process," Baker said. "So I think bringing the past back and getting them more involved. We'd also like them to be in the parade."

Organizers are working to restore an iconic float that former queens rode in during the festival. Baker said the goal is to have it ready for the parade.

The crowning ceremony is planned for the Sunday before Levi Coffin Days weekend at Barn at the Helm, which is sponsoring the event.

Levi Coffin Days will also feature its traditional parade, vendors, food and entertainment. This year's parade will be livestreamed and include announcers and six awards for participants.

"So you can still register for a booth, you can register for the parade," Baker said.

An events calendar for the event includes a list of bands that will be performing.

Information about the royal court, parade, vendors and other activities is available at https://levicoffindays.org/.