Miss America State Shoes Unveiled For NJ Parade

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) – Hours before preliminary competitions begin in the 2014 Miss America pageant in New Jersey’s Atlantic City, the state-themed shoes of all 53 contestants have been unveiled.

The competition returns to Atlantic City after six years in Las Vegas, and begins Tuesday night in Boardwalk Hall. The shoes will be worn in Saturday’s Boardwalk parade.

Miss Florida’s shoes depicted alligators, Miss Indiana’s had basketballs and hoops, Miss New Jersey had sea shells and Miss Arizona’s had a cactus.

There are 53 hopefuls – one from each state as well as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District Of Columbia. They’ll receive scores in categories including talent, swimwear and evening wear, and onstage interviews.

The new Miss America will be crowned during Sunday night’s nationally televised broadcast.