The annual Chrysanthemum Festival celebrating Japanese culture will be held at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center in Wailuku.

The event, sponsored by Maui's Sons and Daughters of the Nisei Veterans and the county, raises money for scholarships and historical preservation programs associated with the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center.

For the past 55 years, the festival, formerly known as the Chrysanthemum Ball, was presented by the Maui AJA Veterans Inc. Organizers said the program was turned over this year to the younger group to perpetuate the tradition.

Although the name has changed, ballroom dancing remains a staple of the event. The four high school students vying for the title of Chrysanthemum Festival queen are Caitlyn Miyamoto of Baldwin High School, Ryanne Ortiz of Kamehameha Schools-Maui, Tara Yamashiro of King Kekaulike, and Chastity Yasutomi of Maui High.

The contestant who raises the most money by selling tickets and soliciting donations will be crowned queen. The donation deadline is Dec. 3.

Admission to the festival is $15 or a general donation to a contestant. Call Leonard Oka at 385-7670 for more information, to buy tickets, or to make a donation in a contestant's name.