THIS year's Tweed Banana Festival Queen will be crowned at the Murwillumbah Civic Centre, foregoing the time-honoured tradition that saw the ceremony performed on the back of a semi trailer.

One of the ball organisers, Rotarian, Vicki Rayner, said it was felt it was time for the girls to be part of a more gala event that acknowledged their hard work over the last months.

Previously the Queen was crowned in the centre of the Murwillumbah Showground on a makeshift stage in front of the public.

But now the 10 prospective banana festival queens will break with the past and enjoy a more regal ceremony in ball gowns while the band Break Out will set the pace.

Besides the crowing of the festival queen on the night, other entrants will be recognised under titles such as Miss Personality and Miss Charity.

The evening will be compared by local media identity MaggieAnne, and a mystery celebrity from Tylagum is rumoured to have the honour of performing the official crowning.

Mrs Rayner said a crowd of about 200 was expected at the ball to be held on Saturday, August 26, with tickets $37.50 for adults and $15 for children.

Anyone interested in attending the ball can contact the Banana festival committee office in Church Lane , Murwillumbah. Phone: 66726186.