Miss Chinatown Houston was a beauty pageant founded by the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Houston chapter with the first pageant being held in 1971 in La Porte, Texas. [1] Miss Chinatown Houston is part of the greater Miss Chinatown USA pageants, the first of which was held in San Francisco, where the first Chinatown was established.[ citation needed ]
As the years went on, the program became progressively more elaborate and well known throughout the Houston community. In 1971 the program included 9 participants for the next year's pageant, raffles, CACA Youth Club entertainment, movies, and dancing. It was also paired with a picnic at Sylvan beach park. [2] By 2000, there was dinner, a 4 part pageant competition, a fashion show, and elaborate music festivities. [3] While the 1971 program featured a beauty pageant segment, the 2016 pageant's segment included 7 contestants and was expanded to a "form and fitness segment" a "talent segment", a "formal gown segment" and a "personality and poise segment". [4] An endorsement from the mayor began in 1983. [5]
The first Miss Chinatown Houston was held in Sylvan Beach, Le Porte, Texas. [1] It was then subsequently held at the Rice Hotel, Mariott Motor Hotel, Astroworld Grand Ballroom, the Shamrock Hilton Hotel, Adam's Mark Hotel, Westin Galleria Hotel, Double Tree Hotel, JW Marriott Hotel, Omni hotels, Crown Plaza Reliant Park, and the Royal Sonesta Hotel.
In order to participate in the pageant, participants must first be selected from the application process. In the application, there are wardrobe requirements (such as a swimsuit and cheongsam) as well as a time commitment requirement and talent requirement. [6] Participants must be of Chinese ancestry, a US citizen or permanent resident in Houston, single female (no divorcees or parents), at least 17, no criminal record, and agree to release photos and videos of themselves to publicity. [7]
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