We’re all familiar with Lakeland’s affinity for the royal swans gifted by Queen Elizabeth II, but did you know that it’s also fit for a different kind of royalty? We’re talking about the Miss Florida organization, an official state chapter of the Miss America program.
The past
She’s beauty and she’s grace, she’s Miss Sarasota 1961, Sherry Grimes, who went on to become Miss Florida that year.
Photo via Florida Memory
Since Miss Florida’s official inception in 1935, the annual competition has been held in various cities across the state, including an 11-year stint in St. Petersburg. We’re looking at you, TBAYtoday.
In 2016, the organization established Lakeland as its new permanent home. With 40+ women hailing from Tallahassee, Miami Beach, and other Florida cities competing for the title each year, it also brought ~$1.6 million in tourism revenue to Swan City. (Think: Enough for around 320,000 slices at Palace Pizza.)
The present
Throughout its nearly 90-year history, Miss Florida has evolved from being primarily a bathing suit-centric beauty contest into a more scholarship and service-focused competition, while still maintaining a touch of glamour.
In the past five years, participants earned more than $1.1 million to be used for their higher education goals. Reigning Miss Lakeland 2023, Amanda Kronhaus, has been participating in the program since 2014 and used her scholarship funds to help her obtain a BFA in Acting from Oklahoma City University.
The future
Miss Lakeland, a local preliminary to Miss Florida, is coming up on Saturday, March 9 at 6 p.m. at the Polk Theatre. Six Lakelanders ages 13-28 will advance to the state competition in June as representatives of Swan City — and maybe even go on to Miss America. If you want the chance to potentially witness history in the making and say, “We knew them when...” spectators can buy tickets at the door.
