By: Isabelle Puente

The Miss Volunteer America pageant returns to Jackson for the fifth consecutive year.

Official events for the pageant begin at 7 p.m., Wednesday (June 17) at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.  The events continue Thursday evening, Friday evening and concludes Saturday, June 20 with the crowning.  To purchase tickets Click Here.

Founded in 2022 by native Jacksonian, Allison DeMarcus, the pageant is back again better than ever bringing family fun and economic boost to Hub City.

The contestants arrived in the city on Saturday for check-in and participated in the flag ceremony on Sunday, June 14. The preliminary events will be held June 17-19, with the final crowning scheduled for Saturday, June 20.

The pageant has 51 contestants, one from each state and consists of a talent, interview, fitness and wellness and evening gown category. The pageant not only brings family fun but, it also contributes greatly to Jacksons economy due to the rise in visitors. Beth Bolton, CEO of Visit Jackson, shared her insight on how much the pageant helps Hub City.

“Each one of those contestants makes huge economic impact on this city, it is phenomenal because they’re here for all this time and the girls are busy, they’re in rehearsals, interviews and all kinds of things,” Bolton said. “But the families, they’re left to roam and find places to eat and shop and see and go and do which is exactly what we want them to do. They’re pouring money into the community, so the economic impact is incredible.”

If you’ve never gone to the Miss Volunteer America pageant, you can be rest assured that it’s lots of fun. Each contestant has something they stand for that is extremely important to them or that has made an impact in their life. By attending the pageant, you’re able to join in on this special event and support each girl’s dreams and ambitions.

(PHOTO: Beth Bolton, CEO of Visit Jackson)