In its 24th year as host city, Hattiesburg is welcoming 36 young woman from across the state this week as they compete for the title of Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality and more than $100,000 in scholarships and prizes. The Mississippi Miss Hospitality program was created in 1949, and the winner of this annual competition serves as goodwill ambassador for economic development and tourism, Marlo Dorsey, executive director of VisitHATTIESBURG, said at a Monday press conference.
The 72nd annual Mississippi Miss Hospitality competition, open to women ages 18-24, will take place at the historic Hattiesburg Saenger Theater, 201 Forrest St. Preliminary competitions are scheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. The final competition is 8 p.m. Saturday.