Rain stopped and ushered in a light breeze for the ride contestants in the 2010 Miss Mississippi Pageant took down Washington Street Monday night.

The annual parade kicked off a week of events in the 53rd annual Miss Mississippi Pageant in Vicksburg — including closed rehearsals to the shows that starts nightly on Wednesday.

An afternoon thunderstorm delayed the parade by about 20 minutes, deterred some people from attending and the owners of a few convertibles from participating. “I think it discouraged some people from coming out,” said Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace, also the pageant’s security chairman.

Pace estimated nearly 600 people lined downtown Washington Street, down from last year when nearly 1,000 people attended.

“We drove in from Madison and we were worried about the rain,” said Emily Strickland, who traveled from Clemson, S.C., to cheer on Miss Mississippi State University Fenly Akers. “We came anyway, and as soon as we got in Vicksburg, it stopped. It was like a big bubble around Vicksburg.”

The shortage of cars led to a slight delay. Despite the minor glitch in logistics, Kim Hopkins, director for the parade, said it went well.

Enthusiastic onlookers waved signs and cheered as 45 girls in charming dresses rode in new and antique convertibles with their hostesses and escorting princes and princesses.

Miss Mississippi Anna Tadlock led the line of contestants, followed by Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen Christina Bostick.

First-time parade-goer was 6-month-old Rourke Stevenson, who was all smiles while there with a crowd of about 20.

“We’re here to cheer on Miss Itawamba Community College Laken Hood,” said his mother, Jessi Stevenson of Tupelo. “She’s one of the most well-rounded contestants we have.”

Across the street, Bettye Carmichael of Simpson County said, “We’re all here for Miss Hattiesburg Lyndsay Pleas — all 15 of us. She’s my granddaughter.”

Among parade attendants was someone who has been in the shoes of each contestant — the former Miss Mississippi Delta Community College Jennifer Borgognoni. “I’m visiting and here to cheer on all the girls from my hometown — Cleveland,” she said. “All the girls are very pretty and a lot of them are talented.”

The parade also featured the Hinds Community College Hi-Steppers, who danced down the parade route to Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love.”

Following the parade was the autograph session with contestants inside downtown stores.

Pageant week continues with more autograph parties scheduled at George Carr Motor Company on South Frontage Road from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and at the Outlets at Vicksburg on South Frontage Road from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. Thursday.

Preliminary competitions get under way Wednesday at 8 p.m. and will run through Friday. The crowning and final contest will be televised live at 8 p.m. Saturday on WLBT local Channel 3.

Tickets for each night remain available at the pageant office and online.

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If you go

Preliminary competitions will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. The crowning and final contest will be at 8 p.m. Saturday. All events are at the Convention Center, 1600 Mulberry St. Tickets are $25 each for Wednesday and Thursday, $30 for Friday and $50 for Saturday, or $100 for all for nights. For more information and tickets, call 601-638-6746 or visit www.missmississippipageant.com.

TV and Online

Saturday’s contest will be shown live at 8 p.m. on WLBT local Channel 3 and online at www.missmississippipageant.com.