The first round of preliminary competition for the Miss Mississippi 2006 Pageant is tonight at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

Forty-three women ages 17 to 24 are competing, and the winner, who will be named Saturday, will advance to the Miss America Pageant, which will be in Los Angeles Sept. 5-13.

The theme for this year’s pageant, in its 71st year and 49th in Vicksburg, is &#8220Somewhere…,” a combination of the original &#8220Wizard of Oz,” and Broadway musicals &#8220The Wiz” and &#8220Wicked.”

The preliminary competition is judged in swimwear, evening wear and talent. Scores from the preliminary nights will determine the Top 10, which will be announced at the beginning of Saturday’s live telecast of the pageant on WLBT-TV3.

The Top 10 will compete again in areas of talent, swimwear and evening gown during Saturday’s competition.

For the second year, fans will be able to text message votes for their favorite contestants during a CellularSouth contest. The contestant who receives the most votes will win a $2,500 viewers’ choice scholarship.

Pageant attendees, including non-Cellular South customers and any wireless users who do not subscribe to text messaging, can cast text message votes on site during the pageant. Cellular South wireless phones will be available in the lobby of the Vicksburg Convention Center each evening of the competition until voting closes at 9 p.m. For a list of the contestants’ assigned numbers, visit www.missmississippipageant.com or any Cellular South retail location. Last year’s contest drew 1.3 million text message votes.

IF YOU GO.

Tickets remain available for the 49th annual Miss Mississippi Pageant in Vicksburg. Tonight’s first preliminary competition begins at 8 at Vicksburg Convention Center, 1600 Mulberry St. Tickets for tonight or Thursday are $25, $30 for Friday night and $40 for Saturday night. For all four nights, the cost is $100. To purchase tickets, call the convention center at 1-866-822-6338. They may be picked up at the convention center during daytime hours or at the will-call window each night before the pageant.