MANSFIELD — The 69th annual Miss Ohio pageant begins this a week of activities this weekend, but locally the fun starts tonight.
“We will have our local contestants supporting a local business in Mansfield today,” said Laura Russell, executive director of the Miss Mansfield Scholarship Program.
Miss Mansfield’s Outstanding Teen Lauren Beard and Miss North Central Ohio Amelia Hitchens will be at Kelly’s Dairy Bar and Miniature Golf from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight.
“This is the last chance to spend time with them before the start competition for Miss Ohio 2017,” Russell said. “All of the contestants arrive in Mansfield on Friday June 10th and will be here until Crowning on Saturday June 18th, at The Renaissance.
“Please come out and meet our local representatives.”
Miss Ohio activities kick off Saturday with a multitude of opportunities to see the competitors. The 20 Miss Ohio contestants will participate in six Mansfield-area events:
Saturday: Richland Mall Welcome Ceremony, Fashion Show and Meet and Greet, 5 p.m.
Sunday: Miss Ohio Parade 2 p.m. on Sunday, ending at the Carrousel.
Monday: Celebrity Waitressing at Applebee’s from 5 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday: Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen at 7 p.m.
Thursday: Miss Ohio First Preliminary Night 7:30 p.m.
Friday: Miss Ohio Second Preliminary Night 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: Miss Ohio Final Night & Crowning at 7:30 p.m.
John Oliveri, spokesman for Miss Ohio Scholarship Program Inc., said the event has taken place in Mansfield the past 39 years. The reason is the organization enjoys the attention Mansfield provides for the event.
“We love the theater and its proximity to the hotel,” he said. “It’s great to have everything centralized. We like the small town because if we went to a large city like Cleveland we’d get lost.”
2015 Miss Ohio, Sarah Hider, said the week has a very special place in her heart because she dreamed of becoming Miss Ohio as a little girl.
“It’s a lot of fun the first few days because because it’s not a competition yet,” Hider said of Miss Ohio Week. “During fashion shows and preliminary events you get to see what it’s like to be Miss Ohio.
“Every one gets into competition mode as the week goes on.”
Hider will be at every event during the week. She will be the emcee at some events and grand marshal of the parade.
