A TOTAL of 42 contestants are vying for the Adi Salusalu crown as the province of Ba steps up its annual soli campaign.
Organisers are inviting, for the first time, other ethnic groups and stakeholders from the province.
The week-long festival in Lautoka will also involve the Indian High Commission, Lautoka Chamber of Commerce, Lautoka City Council, the police and various government departments.
The event's working committee co-ordinator Sakiusa Naivalu said the decision to include other races in the annual soli reflected the government's theme of 'One People, One Nation'.
Mr Naivalu said for many years, the Adi Salusalu had only featured the i-Taukei.
"This year we want to change that," he said.
"For this festival we will have different races from all of the settlements and communities to be part of the celebrations.
"We are the first province to do this and we are hoping that this is a success so that we can turn this into an annual thing."
Lautoka City Council special administrator Pravin Bala said the council was proud to support the new integrated approach taken by the Ba Provincial Council.
"The difference with this year's event is they are inviting all other groups within the province.
"That is something that we will always support, the inter-mixing of the many different races in Fiji," he said.
As for the 42 contestants, Mr Naivalu said candidates would represent each tikina and the various business houses that would feature during the festival.
"The Miss Adi Salusalu crown will go to the one who raises the most money during the soli," he said.