Pretty Maids All In A Row

Since it's azalea season in Mobile, the 'Azalea City,' I can't ignore the most famous goodwill ambassadors for Mobile, the Azalea Trail Maids.

Once the Azalea Trail had been established for many decades, the city decided to enlist high school senior girls to represent Mobile at the height of azalea season.  The Azalea Trail Court originally consisted of only ten members. Its popularity grew so much that in the 1950's it was decided to expand membership in the court to all of Mobile County.  In fact, the America's Junior Miss Scholarship Program was formed as a direct outgrowth of the Azalea Trail Court.  Now the court consists of fifty high school seniors, who go through a rigorous series of interviews, tests, and essays as part of the competition.

The Azalea Trail Maids now represent the city of Mobile year-round.  For several years they have appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

One interesting fact about the Azalea Trail Court:  the Queen is the only member of the court to wear a pink dress. All of the other maids wear dresses in pastel colors of yellow, blue, lavender, green, and peach.