At first blush, The Weekly Times Granny Smith Festival Queen Quest isn't what it once was.

Just five finalists made it to the Eastwood Shopping Centre on Saturday to find out who would be crowned this year's Miss Eastwood.

By the time radio announcer and emcee Stephen Sim ("the voice of Ryde") called a dozen-odd dignitaries up to join him on stage, there weren't many left in the crowd. In the front row, an older lady was reading Summer's End by Danielle Steele.

Lucy Fang, 17, was crowned as this year's Miss Eastwood on Saturday ahead of the Granny Smith Festival. Credit:Steven Siewert

But what this pageant lacks in size it makes up in spirit. For 32 years, young women of the Ryde shire have vied for the title of Granny Smith Queen. And despite the changing times - and some local councillors' attempts to shut the whole thing down - organisers persevere.