A group of Miss Mississippi pageant contestants signed autographs at stores along Washington Street in downtown Vicksburg Thursday.

Local residents, tourists and young fans gathered outside each store in hopes of meeting the contestants and getting to know each lady in the competition.

The pageant itself is a very surreal moment for contestants, but meeting young girls that want to be like them puts it in perspective for them.

“To see everyone come in that looks up to us and look up to every girl here as a role model is special,” Miss Leaf River Valley Michaela Moore said. “It’s great seeing all the aspiring Miss Mississippi’s that come in and meet us.”

As a native of Biloxi, Moore grew up watching the pageant and tried to be like each contestant.

This year is Moore’s third being at the pageant. She said the pageant gets better and better for her as the years go on.

The contestants in the pageant this year were once in the shoes of the young girls wanting to meet their role models.

Giving back to them and making them feel special is one of the benefits of competing for Miss Mississippi.

“It’s the reason why I do this,” Miss Belle of the Bayou Molly May said. “I don’t do this just to wear a crown or pretty dresses. Meeting the people and being a good role model is what makes it all worth it.”

Business owners along Washington Street also benefit from the autograph sessions as contestants fill up their stores with fans and locals.

“The city of Vicksburg and us business owners are lucky to have the pageant here every year,” Lurline Simmons, the owner of Crown to Heels said. “We like busy. Busy is good.”

Crown to Heels seemed to be the most crowded store downtown as they hosted current Miss Mississippi Jasmine Murray. Simmons said it is the first time that they have hosted a queen in the store and its a bit overwhelming.

It’s safe to say that business owners are happy to host the pageant contestants at their stores and to have the pageant here each year.

“It’s great. We love it,” Barbara Willingham, the owner of Willingham’s said. “We need the pageant and we’re so thankful for the people that work here. They do a wonderful job every year.”