Miss California competition returns to Fresno at the Saroyan Theatre

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — After a four-year absence, the Miss California competition is returning to Fresno, bringing dozens of contestants back to the city that long served as the pageant’s home.

Contestants gathered at River Park on Sunday afternoon to kick off competition week.

Organizers said 63 contestants for Miss California and Miss California Teen took part in the event.

They emphasized the competition is about more than what happens on stage, saying contestants spend months developing leadership skills, advocating for causes they care about and earning scholarships.

“And when you hear that pageants are just girly stuff, no. No, these are intelligent, bright, beautiful women,” said Sandy Johnson who volunteers for the event.

Another speaker highlighted the focus on service and advocacy: “They’re all here with their passions and their community service initiatives to go forward and change the world as one of them becomes the next Miss California and another becomes the next Miss California teen.”

Reigning Miss California Rachel Axt of Clovis said her experience has helped her share her community initiative, advocating for children on the spectrum.

“It’s also helped me in my career as a special education teacher be able to get the word out and to show people what it’s really like to live life on the spectrum,” Axt said.

This year’s competition also marks a homecoming for the pageant. From 1994 to 2022, Fresno served as the host city. Now, after four years, the competition has returned.

“It’s special to me because I was born and raised in Fresno County, but it’s very special to the community because in many ways, this is the historical home of Miss California,” said Axt.

Volunteer Sandy Johnson said events like the pageant provide an economic boost to the area.

“They’re bringing their parents, their guests, and they’re in the city and eating and shopping and doing all those things,” Johnson said.

The Miss California competition is scheduled for June 15-20, 2026, at the Saroyan Theatre in downtown Fresno.