Pageant week is in full swing as the contestants rehearse their dance numbers, practice their talent and prepare for what can only be a nerve wracking experience of standing in front of hundreds of people and thousands of television viewers answering questions.

The 2015 Miss Mississippi Pageant contestants crowned their respective prince and princesses in the Magnolia Prince and Princess Program.

Ninety-three young girls and boys from ages seven to 10 received crowns and sashes Saturday as the contestants had their grand red carpet entrance and coronated the younger court.

The prince and princesses couldn’t have been more excited.

“We got crowned,” Princess Sarah Headley said.

“We got a sash,” Princess Kayleigh Clark added.

This is the first year there have been three princes or princesses for each contestant. There are 30 contestants this year plus the reigning Miss Mississippi putting the total at 93 princes and princesses. Out of that total, 88 are princesses and five are princes.

The purpose of the program is to mentor children who have an interest in someday competing in or working on the Miss Mississippi Pageant and promoting community service.

The current Miss Mississippi Pageant local titleholders serve as mentors to their princes and princesses and all Magnolia Princes and Princesses participate in some aspect of the stage production numbers which are part of a major live television show.

Practice makes perfect and the contestants and their court will practice all week leading up to the televised finale Saturday night.

The pageant took a break from the routine Monday night and paraded down Washington Street in downtown Vicksburg.

Neither the heat nor a slight delay to the beginning of the parade could dampen the spirits of the hundreds of people who lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the glitz and glamour.

Vicksburg feels electrified this week as the contestants and their court prepare for their moment under the bright lights on the stage.