Miss Volunteer pageant season returns to Jackson Thursday

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Miss Volunteer organization is returning to Jackson for another pageant season, bringing thousands of visitors to the area, according to Visit Jackson.

Beth Bolton, CEO of Visit Jackson, said the influx of competitors and their families carries a measurable effect on the local economy.

“When you stop and think about these families that are coming, they’re going to eat and they’re going to shop and they’re going to drive all over the county and put gas in their tanks,” Bolton said. “The economic impact is huge.”

Community ties keep pageant coming back

Bolton said the organization’s continued return to Jackson is tied to the relationship between the pageant and the community.

“It is not easy what they do. It is not for the faint of heart,” Bolton said. “It gives them life skills that are going to carry them forever.”

Bolton encouraged residents who are not involved in the pageant world to attend.

“Hopefully they show up and enjoy it and see a really good show,” Bolton said. “Because, if you’ve never been, it is a phenomenal production. Very entertaining.”

The Miss Teen Volunteer America pageant opens Thursday night at the Jackson Civic Center. Additional pageant events are scheduled at the Civic Center over the coming months.

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