Celebrate the seasons of Hospitality and join 2009 Mississippi Miss Hospitality Claire Walley as she crowns the next winner at this year’s Mississippi Miss Hospitality Pageant.  Thirty contestants will vie for the crown as well as over $100,000 in scholarships and prizes.  The pageant will be held at the Saenger Theater July 30^th and 31^st at 8 p.m.

 “We want this year’s Pageant to show everyone the true meaning of Mississippi hospitality and how it should be celebrated year round,” said Traci Rouse, Pageant Director. “During the pageant week, contestants will share their hometown’s hospitality as they tour Hattiesburg, attend rehearsals at the Saenger Theater and are interviewed by our panel of judges.”

This year’s Pageant theme, “Hospitality is Always in Season,” will showcase Mississippi’s signature hospitality throughout the year. The Pageant will feature Mississippi Miss Hospitality 2009, Claire Walley, and an all-Mississippi native entertainment cast. Entertainer Jonathan McKenzie will return to the stage this year, as well as dancers from On Your Toes Dance Studio.

 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 13^th year in Hattiesburg.

 This year, thirty contestants from across the state will compete for more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes and for the title of Mississippi Miss Hospitality 2010.  These contestants will experience a full week of special events with two nights of competition beginning on Friday, July 30^th at 8 p.m. and the final competition on Saturday, July 31^st at 8 p.m. at the Saenger Theater. 

 Mississippi Miss Hospitality 2010 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.

 Tickets are $18 for Premiere Reserved seating and $13 for General Reserved seating per night.  You can also purchase a package for both nights of competition at $36 for Premiere Reserved seating and $26 for General Reserved seating.  Premiere Reserved seats are the best seats in the house and are limited in number. 

 For more information about the pageant, contact Pageant Director Traci Rouse at 601.296.7401 or the Miss Hospitality Pageant Office at 601.268.3220.