Miss Virginia contestants arrive at Hotel Roanoke

Before Miss Virginia contestants can show off their evening gowns, they have to unpack.
The ladies arrived at the Hotel Roanoke on Saturday.
Miss Central Virginia, Shannon Beam, was one of the first contestants at the hotel and went through her whole wardrobe.
Meanwhile, her director, Gail Jones, finished up some last-minute sewing on one of Beam’s gowns.
Shannon says packing for appearances all week long as well as for competition took a lot of time.

“It is so stressful, let me tell you that. I’ve spent the last month trying to pack and prepare. And thanks to my wonderful director, everything is pressed and everything’s been ironed. It’s nice and neat and hanging on a hanger,“ Beam said.

Preliminary competition is on Thursday and Friday nights. The new Miss Virginia will be crowned Saturday night - all at the Roanoke Civic Center. You can also vote for your favorite young woman to make the Top 11. We’ve posted a link on our website.