We're Looking for Miss Bel Air 2026!

Deadline to Apply: FEBRUARY 16, 2026!

The Bel Air Independence Day Committee, Inc., announces that it is seeking applicants for the position of MISS BEL AIR INDEPENDENCE DAY 2026 (commonly known as "Miss Bel Air").

Please see photos on this page of our most recent holders of this position: Kyla Ghirardello 2025, Gianna Romero 2024, Giovanna Ward 2023, Shyama Bhatt 2022, Maka Ezeonyebuchi 2020-2021, Kelsey Scott 2019, being crowned by Gabrielle Kerby, Miss Bel Air 2018, and Gabrielle Kerby being crowned by Natalie Brosch, Miss Bel Air 2017.

To qualify for the position of MISS BEL AIR INDEPENDENCE DAY ("Miss Bel Air"), an applicant must:

• Be age 18-28 (must be no younger than 18 by 9/1/2026 and no older than 28 by 9/30/2026).
• Be single and never have been married.
• Live, work full time, or attend school full time in Maryland. Current or former residence in or around Bel Air, Maryland, is preferred but not mandatory.
• Be at least a high school senior as of the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Be a U.S. Citizen.

• Meet character criteria as set forth by the Miss America Organization (q.v.), and the Miss Maryland Organization (q.v.)
• Should you be named Miss Bel Air Independence Day, you must be available to speak on behalf of the Bel Air Independence Day Committee to organizations such as the Harford County Council and the Town of Bel Air Commissioners.
• You may also be asked to participate or appear, as a representative of the Bel Air Independence Day Committee, in other Fairs or Festivals throughout the time you hold the title (through December 31 of this year), as your schedule permits; these may include the Harford County Farm Fair; the Bel Air Kite Festival; the Bel Air Christmas Parade; and others; your participation in these is not mandatory but is preferred.

• Should you be named Miss Bel Air Independence Day, you must commit the entire day of July 4, 2026, in Bel Air, Maryland, to carrying out the duties of the position.
• Should you be named Miss Bel Air Independence Day, you must agree to attend the Miss Maryland Pageant mandatory orientation meeting, and compete for the title of Miss Maryland 2026 in Hagerstown, Maryland (or wherever the competition is held), conforming to all the requirements, qualifications, conditions and codes of conduct common to those who are contestants in that pageant.
• Should you be named Miss Bel Air Independence Day, you must agree to raise a set amount for the Miss America Organization, through SpotFund, and/or any other requirements common to all Miss Maryland contestants. The Committee may assist you in these efforts and detailed information is available about this upon request.
• You must also agree to meet the time-commitment and responsibilities as set forth by the Miss Maryland program, should you win the title of Miss Maryland.

How to Apply to Become the Next Miss Bel Air

• Read the above requirements!
• E-mail us a resume and a head shot. Send them to the Committee via e-mail no later than February 16, 2026.
• We will respond very quickly! Our Miss Bel Air Coordinator, Gabrielle Kerby Brady, will write you and let you know how the process is proceeding; this will include scheduling your INTERVIEW.
• The position of MISS BEL AIR INDEPENDENCE DAY is chosen via interview; said interviews may be in person or via Zoom or Facetime.

A Few Notes about the Process:

No person may hold the title of "Miss Bel Air" more than once, but previous applicants or contestants are welcome to apply again, assuming they are still qualified (see above).

All communications will be via e-mail; please do not use Facebook, text messages, Facebook Texts, tweets, snapchat or any other electronic communications protocol! Don't use faxes — and don't mail us anything!

We will place updates on the Miss Bel Air and the Bel Air Independence Day Committee Facebook pages for general interest.

If you have any questions about this, please fill out the CONTACT FORM or ask us via e-mail.

Interviews will be held in late February 2026, with the goal of choosing Miss Bel Air 2026 by March 1, 2026. Should that not be successful, later updates will be posted.

Events on Independence Day in Bel Air traditionally include flag-raisings in Bel Air on July 4, and the various family-friendly functions during the day, including the traditional competitive events such as the Water-Balloon Toss, Uncle Sam Says, and the Watermelon Eating Contest. Patriotic flag ceremonies are held in Shamrock Park, Rockfield Park and Town Hall. Finally, Miss Bel Air 2026, as Honorary Grand Marshall, leads the parade down Main Street in Bel Air at 6 pm. Fireworks at about 9:30 pm conclude the day.

Miss Bel Air may also appear at or in official or charitable events throughout the calendar year, including the Bel Air Kite Festival, the Bel Air Soapbox Derby, the Harford County Farm Fair, and the annual Town of Bel Air Christmas Parade. She competes for the title of Miss Maryland at the annual Miss Maryland Competition, usually held in late June of each year.

The title and position of Miss Bel Air Independence Day is an honorary one only, with no employment value or compensation to the title holder. No obligation is imposed upon the Bel Air Independence Day Committee towards the title holder, nor is there any obligation imposed upon the title holder, other than the requirements listed on this page. The holding of the title lasts the calendar year of its choice only, as per the general pageant expectations. The Committee reserves the right to change or replace holders of this position if or as needed, at any time, at its sole discretion.