Miss Tennessee Pageant opens preliminary competition

JACKSON, Tenn. — Hundreds gather for the 64th straight year in the Hub City to cheer on 36 contestants in the Miss Tennessee scholarship pageant.

While there are plenty of local ladies to cheer on, it is an event that organizers said takes the entire community to put on.

“Probably every town in West Tennessee throughout the years has probably had a representative,” said Bill Smith, community relations director for the Miss Tennessee Pageant. “The volunteers and the city and surrounding areas of Jackson is really what put this pageant together historically. I think it’s something Jackson and West Tennessee can be very proud of.”

For those who come year after year to watch, it is something they are proud to keep in West Tennessee.

“I just think it’s special that we get to have it this close to home in Jackson,” pageant attendee Wendi Maxey said. “It means a lot to me to come and watch them and them represent this part of Tennessee.”

“There’s people that come back year after year to this event,” first-year pageant attendee Keith Arnold said. “It’s just a great organization and really something that West Tennessee and Tennessee as a whole should be proud of.”

Wednesday night, two preliminary winners were named. In the talent competition, Miss Nashville Jeanette Morelan takes top honors.

In the swimsuit competition, Miss Collierville Madison Snipes walked away the winner.

Preliminary competitions continue through Friday with finalists vying for the crown Saturday evening.