Mrs. Arkansas America Pageant set for Saturday

A photo illustration of some of the contestants in The Mrs. Arkansas America and Miss Arkansas for America Strong Pageant. - Submitted photos

The Mrs. Arkansas America and Miss Arkansas for America Strong Pageant will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Activities will begin with a public meet and greet and autographing signing with the contestants from 2-4 p.m. today in the Dillard's Court at Uptown Hot Springs, 4501 Central Ave., which will feature a style show from Dillard's.

Tickets will be presold at the event, and programs will be available. Tickets will also be available at the pageant.

The contestants will then do autograph signings from 5-6:30 p.m. today at Jose's Mexican Cantina, 5361 Central Ave.

Hot Springs has been the home of The Mrs. Arkansas America Organization for over 25 years, according to a news release.

The pageant competition on Saturday will feature ladies from around the state competing to win and represent the state at the national competition in August in Las Vegas, it said.

This year's judges will include DEVon Hughes, a.k.a D-Von Dudley as wrestling fans know him, a 24-time world tag team champion, two-time TNA television champion, and a WWE and TNA Hall of Famer.

Hughes has worked with WWE for 20 years and TNA for 10 years, giving him a 30-year career in sports entertainment. He retired in 2016 and now works behind the scenes as a producer for World Wrestling Entertainment television shows, "WWE Monday night Raw" and "Friday night SmackDown," and also a producer and coach for the WWE developmental brand NXT, according to the release.

Call Lynn DeJarnette at 501-520-4243 for more information.