Miss Mississippi Coming to Town

This week marks the 62nd annual Miss Mississippi Pageant as 45 young women from across the state converge on the Vicksburg Convention Center to compete for the coveted crown.

The pageant, which has been held in Vicksburg since 1958, provides more scholarship money than any of the other Miss America preliminary contests.

Four Miss Mississippis have gone on to win the Miss America crown: Mary Ann Mobley (1959), Lynda Lee Mead (1960), Cheryl Prewitt (1980), and Susan Akin (1986).

The pageant begins Monday at 7 p.m. with a parade, and an autograph party to follow. To the dismay of some, this is the first year that the pageant will not include a swim-suit competition.

The convention center has posted the following calendar of events.

Monday, June 17:
The parade begins at 7 p.m. downtown. An autograph party will follow the parade at Margaritaville Hotel Vicksburg, 1310 Mulberry Street.

Wednesday June 19:
There will be an autograph party at 10 a.m. at George Carr, 2950 South Frontage Road. The first night of the pageant begins at 7 p.m.

Thursday June 20:
There will be an autograph party at 10 a.m. downtown, in participating stores on Washington Street. The second night of the pageant begins at 7 pm.

The pageant will be every night beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and at 8 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information call 601-638-6746 or email missmiss@wave2lan.com.

Be sure to tune in to WLBT at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 22, for the final night of the pageant.