In 2020, the Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen Pageant and the Miss Mississippi Competition were canceled because of worries about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Contestants vying for those titles were given the option to compete in 2021 and title holders were allowed to continue their reign.

Following a board meeting Monday, and with the pandemic continuing to be a concern, the Miss Mississippi Board of Directors announced they are moving forward with both competitions.

“At this time, we are doing the teen competition in April and the Miss competition in June,” Miss Mississippi Pageant Executive Director David Blackledge said.

But depending on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen Pageant could “possibly change,” he said.

While both pageants are scheduled to take place in Vicksburg, Blackledge said the orientation weekend, normally held each February for both competitions, will not take place.

“With so much uncertainty, we are going to do a virtual orientation on March 6,” he said.

However, if needed, Blackledge said, there was a possibility the Miss Mississippi contestants will come to Vicksburg.

During the orientation, participants receive information on what it will be like during the competition, costuming and what to expect during the week of competition. Orientation also provides participants in both competitions, as well as the Miss Mississippi Belles and Beaus, to learn the choreography for each production.

Instead of learning that choreography in person, Blackledge said those participating would be sent videos to learn from before coming to Vicksburg for final rehearsals.

The cancellation of last year’s events was not only a blow to organizers and participants, but to the local economy as well. It is estimated that canceling the events cost the local economy an estimated $2.35 million.

The dates set for the MMOT Pageant are April 24-25 and for the Miss Mississippi Competition June 23-26.