By Morgan Taylor, Reporter
TULSA, Oklahoma – The Muscogee Creek Nation has partnered with Miss USA and Miss Teen USA to hold this year’s pageant on the Muscogee Reservation at the River Spirit’s Paradise Cove.
During a press conference today at the Paradise Cove at the River Spirit Casino and Resort, members of the Nation and Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA released statements regarding the partnership.
Principal Chief David Hill said, “We are proud to announce and welcome Miss USA and Miss Teen USA to our growing list of amazing events right here at Paradise Cove.”
More than 100 contestants will travel to OK from each state to compete for the title of Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.
As one of the most consistently watched programs nationally and internationally, the event is expected to bring more than 3,000 visitors to Tulsa.
Tulsa Mayor Bynum commended the MCN for being a “tremendous driving force” in the local economy in a press conference announcing the event.
“I want to thank Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief David Hill and his team at River Spirit Casino Resort for their successful recruitment of this prestigious event,” Bynum said. “You need to only look around you to see what the Muscogee (Creek) Nation does for the community on a daily basis, now to be attracting a world-class event like Miss USA to Tulsa, it’s just a reminder of how lucky we are to live here and work together as one community.”
Miss USA Organization President Crystle Stewart said the venue was among the best she had ever seen.
Stewart called Paradise Cove a “state of the art entertainment center that rivals any of the centers I have been to around the world, not just in the Nation.”
“That’s what sold us on Paradise Cove.”
Stewart held the Miss USA 2008 Title and has been a part of the organization since.
According to Stewart, this is her first year organizing the contest and the organization’s first year to partner with a tribal entity.
“I know in the past we have had several contestants that were Native American, and we hope to have more in the future.”
Stewart says tickets will be available in a few months and can be found online on several platforms, including the River Spirit Casino and Resort Paradise Cove ticket office.
