ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) β The 53 contestants vying to become the next Miss America have met the public on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
Entrants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands appeared at the traditional welcoming ceremony across from Boardwalk Hall.
This is the second year that the pageant, which began in Atlantic City, is returning to its roots after six years in Las Vegas. The nationally televised finale will be held Sept. 14.
Miss New Jersey, Cierra Kaler-Jones, says that as the child of two casino workers, it is historic for her to represent her state in the pageant in Atlantic City.
