Miss Southwest Michigan and Miss Southwest Michigan Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant tickets are available.

The Blossomtime Festival is proud and excited to announce an evening planned for all Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Dowagiac Performing Arts Center, when it will host the Miss Southwest Michigan and Miss Southwest Michigan Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant. Young ladies between the ages of 13 and 17 will compete for the Outstanding Teen title judged on talent, physical fitness and interview skills, while young women ages 17 through 24 will vie for the title of Miss Southwest Michigan judged on their talent, evening gowns, bathing suit competition and interview skills.

The Miss Southwest Michigan Scholarship Pageant is the only preliminary competition in Berrien County that leads to the Miss Michigan Pageant and ultimately, Miss America.

As a special treat, the recently crowned 2011 Miss Michigan Katie LaRoche will be serving as mistress of ceremonies.

The pageant will begin at 7 p.m. with tickets available at the door; however, tickets may be purchased in advance through the Blossomtime Office. Call the office at (269) 926-7397 or stop by at 151 East Napier Ave. in Benton Harbor to buy tickets. Tickets are $20. Availability is limited.