Mrs. America Pageants

Mrs. America Pageants
August 8th is a big day! Regal B Productions is organizing a combined day of Mrs. America pageants that day at Mohegan Sun. Mrs. America title holders will be crowned for Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey. In addition, first runner up title holders ( with a variety of duties ) will be awarded, and the Miss Massachusetts For America title ( for any unmarried woman of any age ) will be awarded too!

Melissa Bassano, a former Mrs. Rhode Island America and now the producer / choreographer / emcee for Regal B Productions is the State Director for 8 pageants, and clearly an enthusiastic advocate for pageant programs.

“Competing in pageants prepared me for what I do now.” Bassano states. She is an executive career and life coach, and a public speaker. “Participating in pageants prepares you by having you talk with people, placing you in situations that allow you to be the best you can be, develop health goals that include eating healthy and working out, and gives participants and title holders public speaking experience.”

Bassano begin entering pageants when she was 18. “I was a singer, and my vocal coach suggested I compete in a local pageant that included a talent portion.” “I was a very competitive person!” She says, “and the pageants were exciting as well as terrific opportunities for self- development.”
The Mrs. America pageant has been around for 45 years, and according to Bassano, is the oldest and most prestigious pageant for married women. The state title winners will receive all expense trips to the national competition in Las Vegas.

Bassano finds so much about the pageants very gratifying. Beyond the self-development opportunities, the title holders and organizations support many organizations and charities. For instance, Bassano has been involved for a number of years with the Gloria Gemma Cancer Research Foundation. ( She is a cancer survivor ) The national and local pageant organizations have been involved for 15 years with Toys for Tots, and more recently has been raising funds for Victoria’s Voice, an organization helping people with drug addictions.

Emily Friedman, the current Mrs. Massachusetts, has been actively involved in advocating for increasing housing for disabled and low- income populations.
The August 8th competitions will be carefully orchestrated to maintain social distancing. The program will be held in a room that could hold 600, but only 200 people will be allowed in the room.

While it is too late to participate in the 2020 competition, right after the August 8th event planning and organizing begins for 2021. “We have many amazing sponsors this year, and we’ll have additional sponsorship opportunities for 2021.” Bassano says. “ Anyone who might be interested in competing in local pageants during the year should contact us through our website: www.regalbproductions.com for information.”