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State pageant moved from NC to SC over COVID-19 restrictions

FORT MILL. S.C. — York County will get an unexpected economic boost this weekend thanks to a longtime pageant making a quick change in venue.

The Mrs. North Carolina and Mrs. South Carolina state pageants, part of the Mrs. America and Mrs. World competitions, has been around for 83 years. This year, the event was supposed to be held in Mooresville in March, but the onset of COVID-19 changed those plans.

"This is a great event that kind of fell in our laps," said Visit York County CEO Billy Dunlap.

North Carolina is in Phase 2 of reopening, which doesn't allow for large-scale events. The pageant was delayed twice, then moved to Fort Mill, South Carolina, where it will be held at The River Place.

"It's been just time-consuming and costly, but these girls have worked so hard, and we are trying to put on a great and safe show," said Fred Galle, Executive Director of the Mrs. America North Carolina/South Carolina Pageant.

The pageant scouted 12 sites before settling on Fort Mill.

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South Carolina allows events of up to 250 people, but the pageant petitioned the department of commerce to allow seating for up to 400 in the auditorium at The River Place.

The audience will have to wear face masks and seats will be spaced six feet apart.

“They’ll have their temperature checked in their car before they’re even allowed inside the pageant,” Galle said.

He said everyone will also be required to sign release forms agreeing to follow all the safety procedures.

Dunlap told Channel 9 that tourism has been down because of the pandemic. However, the area is starting to get other events because the state is more open for business than some surrounding states.

“We’ve actually got a big AAU basketball event right now that came out of Greensboro,” he said.

"As states close to us stay shut down, it's just more opportunities for us to host events like this," he added.

The pageant showcases about 60 contestants and is expected to draw a crowd of hundreds.

For a one-night only event, it’s expected to add $600,000 to $700,000 to the local economy.