It doesn't take a lot to set up a local Beauty Pageant, as far as experience or legal oversight. Pick an age group and theme, date, location, prizes, and a few other details, and BOOM, people showing up with makeup and sparkles. This doesn't mean you'll throw a GOOD pageant, mind you, just "a pageant." While a lot of these pageants may not be registered with larger pageant groups, some serious competitors consider them practice for more serious competitions against seasoned beauty queens.