It was lively, to say the least, as 47 hopefuls checked in at the Vicksburg Convention Center Sunday morning. One will be the 50th Miss Mississippi crowned in Vicksburg.

&#8220I’m very excited,” said first-timer Miss W Carrie Pennington. Her sentiments were echoed by fellow contestants.

Returning contestants greeted each other, hugs were exchanged and many photos were taken as the young women, ages 17-24, gathered before orientation, greetings by Vicksburg officials and rehearsals for the preliminary and final competitions.

One of 19 returning contestants, third-year competitor Miss Dixie Ashley Buckman is nervous, but not about the competition.

&#8220I’m nervous about the dances with Mallory,” she said, referring to the Miss Mississippi Pageant’s longtime choreographer and director Mallory Graham. &#8220The competition is a breeze after you get the dances down.”

The 50th Miss Mississippi Pageant in Vicksburg is a big deal for most contestants, especially considering the scholarships to be awarded.

&#8220What’s amazing is that I’ve watched the pageant since I was 4 years old. Now to be onstage with all the people who shaped your intentions is just great,” said Buckman.

Miss William Carey University Elizabeth Goff, a first-time contender for the crown called it &#8220a great opportunity.”

The theme of the show this year is The Divine Miss M’s. The host will be Michael Young and most songs will be from the motion picture &#8220Dreamgirls.” One of the featured performers will be Miss Mississippi 2006 Taryn Foshee.

Now that the big week is here, treasurer of the Miss Mississippi Corporation Board of Trustees Tammy Folger-Sutter hopes the contestants have fun.

&#8220We just want them to have a good time. Everyone’s worked so hard,” Folger-Sutter said. &#8220All the preparations really happen before they get here.”

First-year competitor Miss Grenada County Angela Bailey said she feels prepared.

&#8220The electricity went out in our hotel this morning, so if I can make it through that, I can make it through anything,” she said.

Rehearsals will continue today, with autograph parties and preliminary competitions beginning Tuesday and lasting through Thursday. Friday night, a parade and Queens’ Ball will celebrate the 2007 contestants and former Miss Mississippi title-holders.

Miss Mississippi 2007 will be crowned Saturday night during the final competition, which will be televised on local cable Channel 3, Jackson’s WLBT.