Politics & Government
Miss NY USA Pageants to Return to Westchester
Political leaders say they expect the event to generate more than $3 million for local economies.
The Miss New York USA Pageants are returning to Westchester County early next year, marking the return of an event local officials say generated more than $3 million for the area's economy when it debuted in Purchase last year.
The two-day event will be held from Jan. 19 - 20, 2013, at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center. Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino and 89th District Assemblyman Robert Castelli joined directors from K2 Productions, which is hosting the events, to make the official announcement at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel in Harrison Tuesday afternoon.
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Purchase will also host the Miss Teen New York USA Pageant. Last year's pageants drew 300 contestants and attracted about 3,000 attendees, according to show organizers. The flood of friends and family members that attend the event are expected to provide a boost within the area's hotel and restaurant business.
“I am delighted that Westchester County was selected to host the 2013 Miss New York USA Pageant and Miss New York Teen USA Pageant,” said County Executive Astorino. “This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase Westchester County to hundreds of visiting contestants and their families, as they stay in our premier hotels, dine at our top-rated restaurants and visit our many cultural and historic attractions during what is typically a slow period in the industry."
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The events serve as the preliminaries for the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Pageants. The girls and women also compete for more than $300,000 in prizes and scholarships. Winners also make connections with K2 Productions and other media outlets to create a platform for self-branding.
Sabrina Mastrangelo, who won the Miss New York Teen USA event in 2012, said winning the event last year has helped her speak out against cyber bullying.
"Just to be able to impact the lives of other teens is something that really humbles me," said Mastrangelo Wednesday while promoting the event. "I feel that I made a huge difference in somebody else's life."
New York women ages 14 to 27 are eligible to participate in the event. For more information on the application process, click here.
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