After a few years away, the Miss California pageant, preliminary to Miss America, has returned to its historic home in downtown Fresno.<\/p>\n
This week, over 60 locally crowned women and teens from across the state will compete for the title of Miss California or Miss California Teen at Fresno\u2019s Saroyan Theatre.<\/p>\n
The venue had been the competition\u2019s home for nearly three decades until 2022, when it moved to Visalia as the organization landed on its feet post COVID-19.<\/p>\n
Its return is especially personal to the current Miss California 2025, Rachel Axt, a Fresno native, Fresno State graduate and special education professional.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels full circle to represent Miss California in the same city where my own story began,\u201d Axt said. \u201cFresno has a long history with this program, and it\u2019s powerful to bring it back here and show what it truly stands for: scholarships, community, and opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miss California relies on sponsors and small business partnerships to fund its production and scholarships, which slowed down as the pandemic hit local businesses hard, the organization\u2019s state co-director, Marissa Honey-Plata, told The Bee. At the same time, Fresno was shifting to union contracts for the Saroyan.<\/p>\n
In order to keep giving scholarships to help young women cover the cost of higher education, a pillar of the organization, they had to cut back on production to make up those funds, Honey-Plata said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we just had to make a decision that was best for us, and Visalia threw their hat in the ring, but also they were close enough to Fresno,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The date of the Miss California 2026 competition had to be changed because the Miss America pageant was to be hosted earlier this year, which Honey-Plata described as a \u201cblessing in disguise.\u201d<\/p>\n
An ideal date at the Saroyan happened to be open. Fresno welcomed the organization back \u201cwith open arms\u201d and was willing to meet in the middle in terms of costs to bring Miss California back, Honey-Plata said.<\/p>\n
The Miss California 2023 crown went to Miss Berkeley Sabrina Lewis during the 99th edition of the pageant held at the Visalia Convention Center on July 1, 2023. This marked the first time in more than 20 years that the pageant was not held in Fresno. JUAN ESPARZA LOERA The Fresno Bee Not just glitz and glam<\/p>\n
Once delegates hit the stage on competition week, much more preparation has gone into it than just the glitz and glam.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, that\u2019s a part of it, because in this day and age, you have to look the part if people are going to listen to you,\u201d Honey-Plata said. \u201cBut you also have to be strong in what you believe in, and be a good brand ambassador.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Miss America organization is based on five pillars: service, scholarship, style, success and sisterhood.<\/p>\n
All delegates have a service initiative that is important to them, and they hope to promote. For Fresno\u2019s very own Miss California Axt, that\u2019s being an advocate for autism acceptance and inclusive education.<\/p>\n
When young women compete, they\u2019re also earning scholarship dollars or the opportunity to apply. Honey-Plata said it\u2019s better described as a sport than a pageant.<\/p>\n
When it comes to selecting a winner, for the teen title, ages ranging from 14 to 18, and the Miss title, ages ranging from 18 to 28, delegates are judged on five different categories.<\/p>\n
The interview is 30% of the score, the on-stage question is 10%, fitness is 20%, the evening gown is 20%, and the talent is 20%. The organization is looking for a well-rounded woman who is passionate about her community service, who is well educated and will be a good brand ambassador for Miss California, Honey-Plata said.<\/p>\n
![\"Miss](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/news-06-25-21-PAGEANT-crown-2F9A6111.jpeg\" "\\"news-06-25-21-PAGEANT-crown-2F9A6111\\"")
Miss California 2021 Jazm\u00edn \u00c1valos holds on to her new crown and smiles during the pageant finals held June 25, 2021, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Convention Center in Fresno. JUAN ESPARZA LOERA The Fresno Bee Miss California 2026 competition schedule in Fresno<\/p>\n
All Miss California 2026 events at the Saroyan Theatre are open to the public. Tickets are available at the box office or online.<\/p>\n
Sunday, June 14: 4 p.m. grand arrival at River ParkMonday, June 15: 7 p.m. Little Sisters CrowningTuesday, June 16: 7 p.m. Miss California preliminary night oneWednesday, June 17: 7 p.m. Miss California preliminary night twoThursday, June 18: 7 p.m. teen preliminaryFriday, June 19: 4 p.m. Miss California\u2019s Teen finalsFriday, June 19: 7 p.m. Golden State GalaSaturday, June 20: 4 p.m. Miss California finalsSaturday, June 20: 7:30 p.m. Miss California coronation party<\/p>\n
This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 2:48 PM.<\/p>\n
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