MISS AMERICA FEATURED IN MISS NEW JERSY PARADE, JUNE 13 IN OC

OCEAN CITY, N.J. --- Lauren Nelson, the reigning Miss America, will be a special guest at the annual Miss New Jersey Parade set for 7 p.m., June 13 on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

She will join Georgine Di Maria, the current title holder, and 28 hopefuls from throughout the state in the event that kicks off the competition to select the next Miss New Jersey.

Nelson has been traveling the country making personal appearances as the goodwill ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network. Her particular platform issue is Internet Safety, Protecting Kids Online. The former Miss Oklahoma is a vocalist whose ambition is to become a Broadway performer.

Theme of this year’s Parade is Hollywood on the Boards. Contestants will be dressed as movie stars and “show their shoes” from convertibles. DiMaria will portray Fay Wray, star of King Kong. Miss Vineland, Ashleigh Udalovas, will dress as Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With The Wind. Miss Tri County, Ashlyn Shawah, will impersonate Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra.

Miss Seashore Line, Amy Polumbo, will portray Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins while Jessica Greenberg, Miss Middlesex County, becomes the cartoon cutie Jessica from Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Heather Miller, Miss Gateway will transform herself into Betty Boop, Desiree Puglia, Miss Highland, becomes Carmen Miranda, Stephanie Garland, Miss All-State, will impersonate Shirley Temple in Good Ship Lollipop and so it goes.

Dancers from dance studios and Girl Scout Troups will march along with the contestants and enhance their themes with performances and hoopla.

Maribeth Neall, Parade Director, reports there will be floats, marching groups, radio stations and a variety of special attractions in the parade. Danny Kean, ragtime piano player, will entertain from the back of a pick-up truck while his popular dog, Boney, surveys the crowd from the hood. Elvis Performer, Ted Prior, will serenade spectators along the Parade Route.

The Pageant will be held inside the Music Pier with preliminaries Thurs. and Fri., June 14-15 and the final on Sat., June 16. All programs begin at 7:30 p.m. The winner will compete for the Miss America title later this year.

To purchase tickets, call Mary Lou Cake 856-424-3564.
                                                   
                                                  

If you want photos of contestants emailed to you please contact Mark Soifer at
msoifer@hotmail.com. Photos of Miss America are available at www.missamerica.org