The opening of a new exhibit focusing on the history of the Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at the Dowagiac Area History Museum.

The new museum exhibit will celebrate the 75-year history of the city’s beauty pageant, from the crowning of Velma Lason as the first Miss Dowagiac in 1930 to queens from more recent times. Artifacts in the exhibit include the original dress worn by former Miss Dowagiac Velva Robbins at the 1953 Miss America Pageant.

Reining Miss Dowagiac Amanda Hassle and her court will be present for the opening, which will take place during the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce’s annual membership meeting. Hors d’oeuvres will be served during the event as well.

The chamber looks forward to welcoming back former pageant royalty, pageant volunteers and donors during the opening. Anyone interested in attending the event should RVSP by Jan. 17, by contacting the chamber at 269-782-8212. Admission is free.