The Miss Firecracker Contest

The story is set in the small Mississippi town of Brookhaven, the time a few days before the Fourth of July. Carnelle Scott is rehearsing furiously for the Miss Firecracker Contest - hoping that a victory will salvage her tarnished reputation and allow her to leave town in a blaze of glory. The unexpected arrival of her cousin Elain, a former Miss Firecracker winner, complicates matters a bit, as does the repeated threat of Elain's eccentric brother, Delmount to sell the family homestead and decamp for New Orleans. But, aided by a touchingly awkward seamstress named Popeye and several other cheerfully nutty characters, Carnelle perseveres - leading to a denouement of unparalleled hilarity, compassion and moving lyricism as all concerned finally escape their unhappy pasts and turn hopefully toward what must surely be a better future.