The Miss America pageant is returning to Connecticut to celebrate its 100 anniversary.
Mohegan Sun announced Friday a three-year agreement to bring the historic beauty pageant to the Nutmeg State.
“Miss America will now become one of Mohegan Sun’s largest annual events in terms of size, scope and reach, allowing us to continue to deliver world-class, unique experiences to all those who step through our doors,” said Mohegan Sun president and general manager Jeff Hamilton in a statement.
This year’s centennial pageant will take place in December at the Mohegan Sun Arena before a live audience, with the new Miss America scheduled to be crowned on a yet-be-named =television network. Last year’s event was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions, extending the reign of Virginia’s Camille Schrier, who was awarded the honor in 2019 at the Mohegan Sun.
“As a leading integrated entertainment resort with a state-of-the-art venue and innovative vision for hosting events, Mohegan is the ideal partner as we enter into our second century of service to America’s outstanding young women, said Miss America Organization president and CEO Shantel Krebs, in a statement.
The pageant began in 1921 as ploy to extend tourism beyond Labor Day as Atlantic City’s Inter-City Beauty Contest. It was renamed the next year and held in the New Jersey resort town until 2006, when it moved to Las Vegas. The pageant returned to Atlantic City in 2013 before moving to the Mohegan Sun six years later.
For this year’s pageant, Mohegan Sun’s leadership team and the Miss American Organization have stated they will adhere to guidelines on COVID-19 health and safety protocols as outlined by the Mohegan Tribal Health Department and local and state health officials in Connecticut.
