The Miss Universe-Ethiopia 2005 pageant will be held at the Addis Ababa city hall on March 16 and 19. The National costume and delegate presentation will be on March 17, where the first six semifinalists will be selected. The event will also feature a film show from Miss Universe 2004 show featuring Ferehiyewot Abebe, a national costume show, and a leather fashion show featuring fresh designs.

The final showdown of the 6 semi-finalists is on March 19.There are three crowns up for grabs. Nine other sub titles may also be awarded this year, www.allafrica.com reported.

"This year's is the biggest pageant yet and is being contested by girls form outside Ethiopia for the first time. Miss Ethiopia northern America 2004 is coming from Washington DC and two other Ethiopian models have already arrived from the US," Organizers of the show stated.

The show is being sponsored by Cailand from Italy, Specks "n" shades from London, V-Mobile from London, Guess from Italy, and various other companies. The top five girls will be wearing exclusive designerwear from Cailand of Italy.

"In 2004, the top winners from the Miss Universe-Ethiopia pageant proudly represented Ethiopia at 12 global pageants, and this time, they have already been to two pageants, Hanna Tesfaye went to Miss Silver bird in Nigeria in January, and Tigist Mengistu recently won 2nd place at International Best Female Model contest in Spain, though sadly this was given very little coverage in the Ethiopian press," the organisation said.

"The top 10 girls from the Miss Universe-Ethiopia 2005 pageant are also expected to be given the great honor of showing the world what young sophisticated Ethiopian women look like while doing the country proud as young ambassadors," they said.

The tourism authority of Thailand, which is the host city of the 2005 Miss Universe pageant is also making a special presentation at the grand finals. Tickets go on sale at La Parisian café, New York café, and Photo sharp all conveniently located along Bole road.