Copyright © 2014 Henry Kee Photography
Stories of beauties and legends such as the Moon Goddess were part of Chinese literature and history for over four thousand years. It was only after World War II that the concept of a public judging and acclamation of grace, beauty and talent of the celestial maidens became an official event. Perhaps returning Chinese-American GI’s, with a habit of looking at pin-ups, initially thought it was a good idea. In 1948, a Chinese organization, at a July 4th picnic, had a “Miss Chinatown” bathing beauty contest. This continued through 1952.
The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in 1953 decided to combine this contest in conjunction with the Chinese New Year Festival. The first “Miss Chinatown”, in the year 1953, was Miss Pat Kan, daughter of gourmet restaurateur Johnny Kan. Her first publicity photo, used by wire services internationally, showed her not wearing a traditional cheong-sam, but a string of firecrackers. From 1953 through 1957 the title was bestowed only on San Francisco young women, since it was a local competition.
In 1958, the Chinese New Year Festival was becoming a popular annual event enjoyed by local San Franciscans and visitors from many parts of the country. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce took a bold step in converting the local contest to a national contest where young women from all over the country would be able to compete.
In 1958, it became the “Miss Chinatown, U.S.A. Pageant” and the first crown holder was June Gong from Miami, Fla. The pageant, patterned somewhat along the lines of the “Miss America” pageant, is a combined beauty-talent-fashion and quiz show. In the first competition, held in a Chinese theater, beauty suits were taboo. In the talent contest, one may see the contestants performing Chinese folk-dances, the latest American steps, singing, or playing musical instruments.
The search for contestants is initiated each fall by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Chinese organizations, business groups and colleges are invited to send in their entrants. Many cities send their own contest winner to San Francisco to compete. Once the entry is accepted, a sponsor helps defray some of the expenses.
Now, 55 years later the beautiful, talented and bright young women from throughout the United States are still coming to San Francisco during Chinese New Year to compete for scholarships and prizes in the annual Miss Chinatown USA Pageant. This year’s winners will become goodwill ambassadors for the Chinese community throughout the new lunar year.
Tickets ($35, $45, $65) available at:
East West Bank
900 Kearny St. San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 397-8988
Mon – Thu 9 am – 5 pm;
Fri 9 am – 6 pm;
Sat 9 am – 4 pm
Washington Bakery
733 Washington Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 397-3232
Mon-Sun 10 am – 8 pm.
For over 55 years, young women from throughout the United States have come to San Francisco to compete for prizes and scholarships in the annual Miss Chinatown USA Pageant. The winners become goodwill ambassadors for the Chinese community throughout the new year.
| 6:00 pm | No Host Cocktails |
| 7:00 pm | Dinner |
| 8:30 pm | Dancing until midnight |
Tickets: $150
The newly selected Miss Chinatown USA and her court will be crowned at the annual Caesars Entertainment Miss Chinatown USA Coronation Ball. The black tie dinner/dance, attended by many community leaders, promises to be a highlight of the Lunar New Year festivities.
2015 Miss Chinatown USA Pageant Application Packet
2015 Miss Chinatown USA Pageant Sponsor Contract
2015 Miss Chinatown USA Pageant
Qualifications & Entry Form Instructions
February 28, 2015
07:00 PM
Tickets ($35, $45, $65)
Palace of Fine Arts Theater
3301 Lyon Street @ Bay
San Francisco, California
United States
#MissChinatownUSAPageant
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