Here come the girls! 52 Miss America contestants arrive in Atlantic City dressed to the nines as they prepare to go head-to-head in the 2017 pageant
- The 96th Miss America pageant will be held in New Jersey on September 11
- The contestants from all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia descended upon the city Tuesday for the welcome ceremony
Pageant winners from across the country have descended upon Atlantic City to compete for a chance at the 2017 Miss America crown.
The contestants for the long-running pageant hit the Atlantic City Boardwalk on Tuesday to kick off the two-week run-up to the September 11 crowning of the winner.
The women from all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, appeared in front of Boardwalk Hall decked in their crowns and sashes for the opening event.
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All together: Miss America contestants from all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico arrived in Atlantic City on Tuesday
Walking the walk: Miss Iowa, Kelly Koch (left), and Miss Indiana, Brianna Decamp (right), pose during the Miss America Pageant arrival ceremonies
Giving a wave: Miss New York, Camille Sims waves as she leads the way to the front of the Boardwalk Hall
This year's pageant will be the 96th annual event, which has always been held in the New Jersey city.
In her introduction, Mantua native and Miss New Jersey winner Brenna Weick told the audience: 'I am thrilled to welcome y'all to New Jersey, especially the Miss America class of 2017.'
The reigning Miss America, 21-year-old Betty Cantrell from Georgia, showed off her winning talents at the opener with a rousing rendition of the national anthem.
'I'm thrilled to be passing on the crown to one of these amazing young women,' she said. 'I think it's in very good hands.'
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Marching in: This year will be the 96th annual Miss America pageant, which has long been held in Atlantic City
Breaking through: Also among the contestants is Miss Missouri, Erin O'Flaherty, the first openly gay Miss America candidate
Bringing it home: The reigning Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell sang the national anthem during the ceremonies
Giving a hand: The event kicked off the two-week run-up to the September 11 event
Also among this year's contestants is Erin O'Flaherty, 23, is the first openly gay Miss Missouri - which also makes her the first openly lesbian Miss America candidate in the pageant's 95-year history.
After being crowned back in June, the winner said: 'I'm on cloud nine really just to be Miss Missouri. I don't know that I intended to be the first (gay winner), but I am. So I'm very excited about it.'
She added: 'My focus of my year isn't going to be that I'm gay. It's certainly a big part of who I am, and I will be promoting it and raising awareness for the LGBT community. But also there will be many appearances that I do that have nothing to do with that.'
Big welcome: Miss Michigan, Arianna Quan (left) and Miss Virginia, Michaela Gabriella (right) react as they are introduced during introductions
Listening up: Contestants watch the various speeches on Atlantic City's boardwalk
Heading things up: Don Guardian, Mayor of Atlantic City, addressed the crowd, saying that 'Miss America is just what this city needs right now'
The pageant is already set to be a star-studded affair, with judges including singer Ciara, Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, NBA team owner Mark Cuban, Miss America 1985 Sharlene Wells Hawkes, as well as Laura Marano, Sara Foster, and Cole Swindell.
It also comes at a time when Atlantic City is suffering through a turbulent financial time, with the Trump Taj Mahal is due to shut down in October and the possible opening of two casinos outside the city that could drive business away.
'Miss America is just what this city needs right now,' said Mayor Don Guardian. '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.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3767665/Here-come-girls-52-Miss-America-contestants-arrive-Atlantic-City-dressed-nines-prepare-head-head-2017-pageant.html#ixzz4Iy2lguPj
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