The Ames Cultural District has started its search for this year’s queen.

Last year the Ames Cultural District Committee began awarding the title of Queen of the Cultural District, and has started accepting applications for this year.

The award is part of the Fourth of July festivities, with the queen appearing in the Fourth of July parade.

Nominations are submitted by those in the community. Angela Moore, Cultural District Committee director, said the committee looks for a woman that will really represent the spirit of downtown Ames. She said the committee also looks for someone who volunteers frequently.

“We want someone who has the downtown as part of their life,” Moore said.

She said the idea was originally suggested by Stacy Dreyer, president of the Cultural District Committee, in order to help draw attention to the downtown area.

“This was done to get awareness out about what the district really has to offer,” Moore said. Dreyer was not available for comment.

Tim Coble, head of the business improvement division of the Cultural District Committee and owner of candy shop Temptations, 309 Main St., said the event has helped the committee’s efforts to bring light to downtown area happenings.

That, however, is not the only goal of the award. Moore said it is to recognize an important woman the community, and since it is awarded so close to Mother’s Day, that is the kind of vibe she wanted the event to have.

Last year’s winner was Joyce Durlam who, Moore said, possessed many characteristics that made her perfect for the position. Durlam co-owned Durlam and Durlam Clothing, 226 Main St.

“Joyce was really a proponent for downtown Ames,” Coble said.

Durlam has since moved to North Carolina, and was not available for comment.

Moore said that apart from being involved in the community, there are no requirements for candidates and that they hope to get a wide variety of women to choose from.

Last year the choices were limited, and they hope that with more exposure there will be more nominations.

“We would absolutely love to have Iowa State students as nominees,” Moore said.

The winner will receive gift certificates from various downtown businesses and ride in the Fourth of July parade. Moore said the committee may have activities for the queen after the parade, but hasn’t made any plans yet.

Those interested can get the nomination form online at www.mainstreetdistrict.com and mail the competed form to Angela Moore, Main Street Cultural District, 526 Main Street, Suite 103.