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Since its beginnings in 1921, the Miss America Pageant has been the culminating event of summer in Atlantic City, attracting a diverse array of visitors from the world over. It is difficult to say whether the event gave the city fame or vice verse. But more importantly, the Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women.
The world's most prestigious pageant is held in mid-September in Atlantic City's historic Boardwalk Hall, originally built as the city convention center. The immense, vaulted-ceiling structure is located directly on the Boardwalk in the heart of Atlantic City.
Each year the Pageant is preceded by the wondrous Miss America Parade, which takes place several days, sometimes more than a week, before the main event, and proceeds along the Boardwalk. 51 young misses vying for the coveted crown take the traditional convertible ride down the mile-long wooden walkway, accompanied by illustrious floats and marching bands, as well as honor guards, local drill teams and local celebrities.
Rain or shine, the public procession begins at 6pm from New Jersey Avenue and works its way south to Albany Avenue. Each year the parade adheres to a different theme; however, one common theme has long been a parade tradition: contestant footwear. Many of the contestants flaunt creative footwear designed to promote their home states. Hence the usual clamor often heard from the crowd: "Show us your shoes!"
Rich in history and social significance, the Miss America Organization is a not-for-profit organization that has maintained a tradition for many decades of empowering American women to achieve their personal and professional goals, while providing a forum in which to express their opinions, talent and intelligence. The Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the largest competitive scholarship program for young women in the world. For more detailed information visit www.missamerica.org. |
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