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MISSISSIPPI MISS HOSPITALITY CELEBRATES 60 YEARS

Hattiesburg-- Six decades of memories will take center stage at this year's 60th anniversary Mississippi Miss Hospitality Pageant. On July 31st and August 1st at the Saenger Theater, 32 contestants will celebrate over half a century of the Miss Hospitalities. The pageant will bring back more than 30 former State Miss Hospitality winners, including those as far back as 1950. Special highlights throughout the pageant will spotlight these past Miss Hospitalities. 

"The pageant's goal since 1949 has been to present knowledgeable young women to promote Mississippi Tourism," said Pageant Director Traci Rouse. "By bringing back past Mississippi Miss Hospitalities, we will be able to see how the pageant has played an important role in their lives."

The theme of the pageant is "60 years of memories" and will take contestants and pageant lovers through the decades with information about formers. In addition, specially organized dance numbers set to popular music from those decades will be included. 

The pageant began in 1949 under Governor Fielding Wright and the Mississippi Legislature with the purpose of presenting young ladies to help promote the state in tourism and economic development. In 1986 the legislature voted to discontinue the pageant, but the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce took it over until 1997, when Hattiesburg received the sponsorship. This will be the pageant's 12th year in Hattiesburg.

This year, 32 contestants from across the state will compete for more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes and for the title of Mississippi Miss Hospitality 2009. These contestants will experience a full week of special events, tours, interviews, and rehearsals, with two nights of competition beginning on Friday, July 31st at 8 p.m. and the final competition on Saturday, August 1st at 8 p.m. at the Saenger Theater.

Mississippi Miss Hospitality 2009 will travel the state and country promoting Mississippi's tourism, industry and economic development. She will also serve as its goodwill ambassador for one year, showing hospitality to everyone she meets.

For more information about the pageant, contact Pageant Coordinator Traci Rouse at 601-296-7401 or go online to MissHospitality.com.

The pageant is presented by VISITHATTIESBURG, the City of Hattiesburg, and the University of Southern Mississippi.