It has begun: Miss Mississippi Parade kicks off pageant week in Vicksburg

Published 5:45 pm Tuesday, June 10, 2025

: Pictured are Miss Lee County Magnolia Belles, from left, May Strickland, Mary Russell Lawrence and Charley Crocker, waving to the crowd during Monday’s parade. (Terri Cowart Frazier/The Vicksburg Post)

With little delay, the Miss Mississippi Parade began rolling down Washington Street Monday night with contestants waving to all the spectators who had gathered to cheer them on.

Also participating in the parade were the Miss Mississippi Magnolia Belles and Magnolias. This group of young girls, who range in age from seven to 13, all have the opportunity to work with and be mentored by their respective Miss Mississippi contestant. The Magnolia Belles and Magnolias also participate in production numbers during the three nights of preliminary competitions, as well as the final round of competition, which airs live on WLBT-Jackson.

Olivia Lee, a former Miss Mississippi Magnolia Belle, who was along the parade route waiting to cheer on her cousin, Fiona Tidwell, said it was “definitely different” than being a participant in the parade.

“But it’s definitely fun to watch and see the new girls come in, and fun to watch that,” Lee said.

Liza Kate Tidwell, Lee’s aunt and Fiona’s mother, agreed.

“This is one of the most fun parts of the whole week… the parade,” Tidwell said, adding that her daughter Fiona is serving as a Magnolia Belle for Miss Queen of the South Celeste Lay.

Mia Blake Tidwell, who was with her mother and cousin, also chimed in about being at the parade.

“I like watching all the people come by,” she said.

Spectators along the parade route also included former Miss Mississippi Jaylin Wood and former Miss Mississippi’s Teen Cameron Davis.

Davis is one of the dancers in the 2025 Miss Mississippi production and Wood’s daughter Anlyn Marlow and nieces Chilee James and Calise Wood are participating in the Magnolia Belle and Magnolia program.

Wood, who is no stranger to Vicksburg since being crowned Miss Mississippi in 2004, said some things have changed since her reign, most specifically the Magnolia Belle and Magnolia program.

“I think this is great that my daughter gets to experience (being part of the production) early and have the dream of being Miss Mississippi, too,” Wood said.

The first preliminary round of the Miss Mississippi Competition will get underway at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Vicksburg Convention Center, 1600 Dr. Briggs Hopson Blvd.

Preliminary competitions will continue on Thursday and Friday, also beginning at 7 p.m. The final round of competition and crowning will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets are $150 for all four nights of competition; $40 for Wednesday and Thursday; and $50 for Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available online at https://www.miss-mississippi.com/shop.html or by calling 601-638-6746.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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