The pageant is an official preliminary of the Miss Arkansas Pageant held in Hot Springs, and all rules of the Miss Arkansas system related to contestant eligibility are in effect for this local pageant. The Miss Ouachita River Scholarship Pageant is open to contestants who live or go to school in the following counties: Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Clark, Cleveland, Columbia, Dallas, Drew, Garland, Grant, Hot Spring, Montgomery, Ouachita, Polk and Union Counties.

The Miss South Arkansas Scholarship Pageant is an “open” pageant meaning a qualified contestant from any section of the state is invited to participate. The winners will receive educational funds and the opportunity to represent the pageant organization at the Miss Arkansas Pageant, July 13-20, 2008, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The 2008 Miss Ouachita River & Miss South Arkansas winner will receive among other awards, a cash scholarship. Cash scholarships will also be awarded to the 1st – 4th runner-up (depending of the number of contestants), Private Interview Award, Talent Award, and Swimsuit Award. The Miss Ouachita River & Miss South Arkansas Scholarship Pageant is held in conjunction with the Miss Ouachita River & Miss South Arkansas Outstanding Teen Pageant.

Contestants will participate in five mandatory phases of competition—Private Interview, Evening Wear, Talent, Swimsuit and On-Stage Question. The weight score values for the competition are:

Talent 35% - Private Interview 25% - Evening Wear 20% - Swimsuit 15% - On-Stage Question 5%