In Friday’s edition of The Vicksburg Post, an article reminded us just how large of an impact the Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen and Miss Mississippi pageants have on Vicksburg and Warren County.

Hall’s Gifts and Treasures Floral Design owner Jacke Hall said he stays busy during pageant season, adding the traffic from the pageant helps his store thrive during the summer months.

“It’s pretty good to the store,” he said. “During this time of year after Mother’s Day, it tends to slow down. The pageants come and kind of support us for the months of June and July. It has a positive effect.”

Helen’s Florist owner Nancy Gray said many of the contestants and their supporters come back year to year and it’s a treat to serve the repeat customers.

“Some of them have been in for years and we become friends with the parents and the sponsors,” she said. “They come back and visit, and that we enjoy. It’s really fun.”

While the article focused mainly on the florists, our whole community greatly benefits from having the competitions right here in Vicksburg.

Many of the businesses impacted are locally owned, which brings back memories of a beloved quote: When you buy from a family owned business, you are not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home. You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy get his team jersey, a mom or dad put food on the table, a family pay a mortgage, or a student pay for college.

It’s true, the pageants calling Vicksburg home is a blessing, and as they support us, we should also support them.

The finale of the Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen pageant is Saturday night at 8 p.m. at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

We hope to see you there.