The Southern Black Hills are full of nervous excitement, anticipation, and a slight hairspray haze; this week as 14 outstanding young women from across the state; as well as hundreds of fans and supporters converge on Hot Springs to find out who will be crowned the next Miss South Dakota America.

This will be the 65^th year the pageant has been held in Hot Springs; the longest running pageant site in Miss America organization history. “There is no other place in the country that treats their contestants with such kindness, hospitality and graciousness. From welcoming homes hosting the contestants to local business support, the whole community makes being part of the Miss South Dakota Pageant a pleasure and a truly one of a kind experience” Said Callee Bauman Wachter, Miss South Dakota 2006.

Not only will contestants gain the experience of vying for this coveted title, they will also have the opportunity to experience all that the Hot Springs community has to offer; with tours of the Mammoth Site, a trip to Evan’s Plunge, and a chance to visit with the residents of the South Dakota Veterans’ Home—contestants and visitors alike will have the opportunity to enjoy all the welcoming hospitality that Hot Springs has to offer. The Miss South Dakota pageant has become a mainstay event within Hot Springs with virtually the entire community playing some roll in the week’s festivities; and who could ask for a more beautiful backdrop, than that of Hot Springs.

“When I drove into Hot Springs for the first time as a rookie competitor, I saw photos of all the contestants in virtually every business window in town; the sight gave me goose bumps. I am amazed at how much support this small town shows to the Miss South Dakota contestants year after year. Their hospitality, kindness, and support made my Miss South Dakota experience unforgettable,” says Alexandra Hoffman, Miss South Dakota 2008.

Miss South Dakota 2011 will be crowned Saturday Night June 25^th at the Muller Civic Center in Hot Springs with preliminary competitions held Thursday the 23^rd and Friday the 24^th, all competitions are open to the public and we look forward to finding out who will spend the next year representing our great state as Miss South Dakota and go on to compete for the title of Miss America.

Good luck to all the contestants. And congratulations to both the Miss South Dakota Organization and the Hot Springs community on 65 years of successful Miss South Dakota pageants; here’s to many years of continuing this cherished tradition.