A new Miss Alabama will be crowned this weekend in Birmingham. Miss Alabama 2023, Brianna Burrell, will crown her successor at the pageant’s finale, and Miss Alabama 2024 will take her first walk on the runway, holding a bouquet of roses as the audience cheers. If you want to watch the Miss Alabama hoopla, here’s what you need to know.

When is the Miss Alabama pageant?

The Miss Alabama finals are set for Saturday, June 29, at Samford University’s Wright Center, 872 Montague Drive in Birmingham. The pageant starts at 7 p.m. CT. Preliminary competitions have been underway Wednesday through Friday, June 26-28, at 7 p.m., also at the Wright Center. Contestants have been busy with other events this week, such as rehearsals, a golf tournament, interviews with the judges and more.

Can I watch the pageant on TV?

No. The Miss Alabama finals aren’t televised.

Can I stream it online?

No. The competition won’t stream on Pageants Live or any other digital platform. The Miss America organization plans to post updates Saturday on its Facebook page as the competition progresses, and news will be posted on the Miss Alabama Instagram page, as well.

How can I watch the Miss Alabama pageant?

The only way to see the pageant and watch Miss Alabama being crowned is to attend in person at the Wright Center. Tickets for the finals on Saturday can be bought at the door for $63-$75, organizers said. The lobby opens at 6 p.m.; the pageant starts at 7 p.m.

Who are the contestants this year?

Forty women are competing for the crown, ranging from Miss Appalachian Valley to Miss Wallace State. Find out more about them here.

READ: Miss Alabama 2024: Meet 40 women competing for the crown

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Does Miss Alabama have a swimsuit competition?

Miss Alabama, like the Miss America organization, no longer has a swimsuit competition. It was eliminated at Miss America in 2018, and Miss Alabama followed suit in 2019. However, a health and fitness segment was added in 2023, and contestants model activewear instead of swimsuits.

What else do I need to know about Miss Alabama?

The yearlong reign of the new Miss Alabama starts immediately. She’ll make public appearances, do charity work, speak to community groups, motivate students and more. Although glitzy on-stage activity is the most public aspect of the Miss Alabama pageant, there’s significant scholarship money at stake behind the scenes. Cash scholarships in various categories are awarded to contestants during competition week, totaling $126,500 this year, according to the Miss Alabama pageant guide. The title of Miss Alabama comes with a $15,000 scholarship. The first runner-up receives $5,000; the second runner-up receives $3,000; the third runner-up gets $2,500; the fourth-runner up receives $2,000, all in scholarship money.

Is Miss Alabama linked to Miss America?

Yes. Miss Alabama moves on to compete for Miss America. The date of the national pageant is TBA, but is likely to happen early next year. Alabama has produced three Miss America winners over the pageant’s history: Yolande Betbeze in 1950, Heather Whitestone in 1994 and Deidre Downs in 2004. All of them have been significant figures for the competition, resulting in milestones during or after their victories. Read more about Alabama’s Miss America winners here.

On Saturday at 1:12 a.m. the National Weather Service issued an updated heat advisory valid for Saturday between noon and 9 p.m. for Marion, Lamar, Fayette, Winston, Walker, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and Greene counties.

The weather service states, “Heat index values up to 105 degrees to 107 expected.”

“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses,” describes the weather service.

Hot weather safety: Weather service tips for staying safe and healthy

• Stay hydrated: Keep yourself well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
• Seek cool shelter: Stay in an air-conditioned room.
• Avoid sun exposure: Stay out of the sun, and make sure to check up on relatives and neighbors.
• Child and pet safety: Take every precaution to never leave young children and pets alone in vehicles, especially in extreme heat when car interiors can quickly become hazardous.
• Caution outdoors: If you must work or spend time outdoors, take extra precautions.
• Time your activities wisely: Whenever possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours when temperatures are more manageable.
• Recognize heat-related issues: Familiarize yourself with warning signs and how tp recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Dress comfortably: Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing to stay cool.

Additional recommendations for outdoor workers:

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas for outdoor workers.
• If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
• In emergency situations, dial 911 for immediate assistance.

These NWS heat safety directives are essential for safeguarding your well-being when facing high temperatures. Stay well-informed and take the necessary precautions to shield yourself and others from the potential hazards of extreme heat.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.