Beauty at the beach - Socially distanced Miss Hampton pageants are on

2020 marks the 74th year for the annual Miss Hampton Beach Pageant, and the crown is up for grabs once again despite the pandemic.   

“There’s been so much turmoil this year and these poor kids had everything canceled,” said director Stephanie Lussier. “We need something positive.”

Miss Hampton Beach is set to premiere July 26, preceded by a junior pageant on July 25 for contestants under 16 years old.

Lussier, who has directed the pageant for the past 24 years, says she is making adjustments for social distancing so the show can go on.

The pageant is typically held outdoors on the Sea Shell stage, which allows room for viewers to spread out and get fresh air. However, the Sea Shell stage has been temporarily shut down for the summer. Lussier said the location is undetermined, but as of now the event will likely be held on the sand or the bump-out stage.

“We’ve been meeting regularly with officials from the beach,” Lussier said. “Things are adapting from week-to-week because of the Covid situation.”

The show starts at 2 p.m with a choreographed performance, followed by a one-piece swimsuit competition and a gown showcase. Contestants are judged on their posture, healthy habits and confidence on stage. The winner receives $500 and becomes a spokesperson for Hampton Beach.  

“It’s not like a bikini competition from Fort Lauderdale,” Lussier joked.

The pageant serves as an outlet for young women to build confidence.

“It’s about learning interview skills and speaking on a microphone for a live audience,” she said. “Those are valuable things you can take with you in life.”

Lussier says those skills have proven to be valuable for former contestants as some have ventured into the entertainment industry.

“One of my former contestants is working for E! News in Los Angeles and another is running her own sports podcast,” Lussier said. “A junior contestant from two years ago is now the current Miss New Hampshire Teen USA.” 

Unlike Miss Teen New Hampshire USA, Miss Hampton Beach accepts contestants from all over the world. Young women drive from different states to compete, and some contestants come from overseas.

“Sometimes we get exchange students who are staying at Hampton over the summer,” Lussier said. “I’ve had girls enter that were from Romania, Italy and Canada.”

The number of contestants varies from year to year.

“We get anywhere from 28 girls on the stage to only eight,” Lussier said.

No matter the numbers, Lussier says the pageant has always been a positive experience.

Miss Hampton Beach is the second-oldest pageant in New Hampshire, with multiple generations returning each year. Some former contestants judge the competition, and some sign their children up to keep the tradition alive.

“I call it my sorority,” Lussier said. “It’s my girls that come together every year.”

Lussier expects the pageant to go as planned despite the current pandemic. The pageant has been held outside for over 20 years, a change that Lussier made when she assumed her position.

“The pageant used to be held in the Casino Ballroom before I started here,” Lussier said. “We moved it to the outside stage at 2 p.m. so everybody including the kids could see the show. To me that’s better than a show at 8 p.m. that ends late at night.”

After 74 years of tradition Miss Hampton Beach still serves as an outlet for young women to develop stage presence and confidence.

“It’s really a stepping stone,” Lussier said. “You have to start somewhere.”

Updates on cancellations and delays can be found on the Hampton Beach Official Facebook page.

—Shane Jozitis

On Stage at Hampton Beach

July 25, 2 p.m. – Little/Junior Miss Hampton Beach Pageant

July 26, 2 p.m. – Miss Hampton Beach Pageant