Young women participating in the 46th annual Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival visited the Schuylkill Mall, Fairlane Village mall and downtown Pottsville to sell buttons for the cause Saturday.
The carnival started today and culminates Feb. 9 with the Queen's Ball at 10 p.m. at the Pottsville Club.
Snowflake Princess contestants, juniors in high school, visited the Schuylkill Mall and Senior Princess contestants, women ages 21 to 29, visited the Fairlane Village mall and sold the $1 buttons. Money goes to fund the Winter Carnival events. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the women were at both malls selling the buttons.
"I'm going to give you buttons to sell," Mary Ella Hallick, chairperson for the snowflakes, told the girls.
The buttons feature a snowman wearing a scarf, hat and playing a guitar. It also gives the dates and says the button is for the Winter Carnival and says "Hard Rockin' Coal County 2013."
Hallick said 16 girls will compete for the title of Snowflake Princess.
In all, 14 women were at the Schuylkill Mall on Saturday. Kelsey Macieunas, 17, and Christy Evancho, 17, both students from Mahanoy Area High School, said they are looking forward to the carnival.
"I'm really excited. I'm excited to meet new people," Macieunas said.
Evancho said she wants to make new friends. Both said they hope to do well in the contest.
Each girl said they are nervous to participate.
Holly Parrish, 18, the 2012 Snowflake Princess, also made an appearance at the Schuylkill Mall.
Parrish she said she was there to lend support and sell buttons.
Her advice to the young women was simple. "My advise would be to stay confident and be yourself and to just not worry and make friends. It's not all about winning," she said.
At the Fairlane Village mall it was much the same.
Dee Boris, chairperson of the Senior Princess contestants, said the buttons will be $1 for the length of the carnival and available at various events during the carnival and at Murphy's Jewelers.
Sarah Dalley, 21, a Senior Princess contestant, from Shenandoah, said "I am very excited for everything."
Her sponsor is The White Pear, a business in Pottsville.
Billie Payne, president of the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival, said the event is a chance for the women to showcase their strengths and confidence.
In addition to the Snowflakes, 46 Snowdrop contestants, girls in second-and third-grade, and 21 Senior Princess contestants,are participating.