Facebook There she is—Miss America!
Well, not quite yet, but one of the 53 beauty queens who touched down in Atlantic City today is going to win the coveted crown in two weeks.
The lovely ladies, representing all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, filed out of Boardwalk Hall, where the various stages of pageant will take place next week, and onto a stage set up outside for introductions.
The Miss America Pageant originated in 1921 in Atlantic City but, in an attempt to beef up interest in the nearly century-old event, it moved to Las Vegas in 2006. This year marks the pageant's return to its home shore.
PHOTOS: Check out all the beauties who competed for the Miss USA title this year
"It's been too long since New Jersey has had Miss America!" Miss New Jersey Cara McCollum (who of course garnered the loudest cheers) told the crowd gathered for the welcome ceremony.
Three nights of preliminary competition kick off Sept. 10, the annual Show Us Your Shoes Parade takes place Sept. 14 and the winner will be named Sept. 15 on national television.
Chris Harrison and Lara Spencer will host the show for ABC, while Lance Bass, Mario Cantone, New York Knick Amar'e Stoudemire, violinist Joshua Bell, Shark Tank's Barbara Corcoran, The Chew cohost Carla Hall and 2005 Miss America Diedre Downs Gunn (the last to be crowned in Atlantic City) have been tapped as judges.
Mallory Hagan of New York currently holds the title.
PHOTOS: Check out last year's Miss America swimsuit competition
8/30: Obama administration prepares nation for Syria strike; Meet a superhero with a soft touch 21:18 August 30, 2013 8/30: Obama administration prepares nation for Syria strike; Meet a superhero with a soft touchSecretary of State John Kerry laid out the intelligence assessment that says the U.S. has "high confidence" the Syrian dictatorship attacked civilians with nerve gas; and, as part of our continuing series "On the Road," Steve Hartman meets Jonathan Stoklosa, who has the power to lift your spirits -- and just about anything else.
During the day, Jonathan Stoklosa works as a bag boy for a grocery store. His boss said you couldn't ask for a better employee./ CBS News
As a powerlifter, Jonathan Stoklosa competes in regular matches and can bench-press over 400 pounds. / CBS News