Miss America Pageant Preliminaries Begin

Preliminary competitions are about to begin in the 2014 Miss America pageant, which is back in Atlantic City after a six-year absence.

The 53 hopefuls -- one from each state as well as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District Of Columbia -- will compete Tuesday night in Boardwalk Hall. They'll receive scores in categories including talent, swimwear and evening wear, and onstage interviews.

Also Tuesday, the personalized shoes that each contestant will wear in Saturday's "show us your shoes" parade on the Boardwalk will be unveiled. The shoes are themed for each geographic area.

The pageant has been held in Las Vegas the past six years, but is now back in Atlantic City. The new Miss America will be crowned during Sunday night's nationally televised broadcast

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)