Beginning next week, 52 women will be vying for the title of Miss America 2017. The pageant was established in 1921 by local Atlantic City businessmen, and has since grown into an annual celebration. In a recent interview with Newsday, Mayor Don Guardian said, “Miss America is just what this city needs right now. We may be struggling financially, but we know where we want to go. You certainly want to put your best foot forward, and this brings people to Atlantic City to have fun and enjoy what we have to offer.” This year marks the 96th competition in the history of the pageant, which, according to Newsday, “… originated as a way to extend the summer tourist season in Atlantic City for an extra week beyond Labor Day.”
Want tickets to the event? Read on to find out how and where to purchase them.
Competition Dates: September 6, 7, and 8, 2016. (7-9 pm ET)
Final Night: September 11, 2016 (9pm ET) *Broadcast live on ABC
Location: The competition will take place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Tickets: Tickets are now on sale on Ticketmaster. Click here to see what’s still available.
Last year’s winner was 21-year-old Betty Cantrell from Georgia. Cantrell studied at Wesleyan College, and her career ambition was (and is) to one day perform on Broadway. Betty was the first woman to take home the crown from Georgia since 1953.
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Miss America Betty Cantrell acknowledges the crowd after singing God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch of the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on August 17, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty)