NEW BERLIN – A new city will now wear the venue crown of the Miss Wisconsin pageant, which in 2025 will move to New Berlin from Oshkosh, its home of 61 years.
New Berlin city and school district officials lauded the decision of the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization, the 88-year-old group which announced the change Tuesday. The organization’s annual competition is a precursor to the Miss America pageant, the high-profile pageant with its own long history.
The state competition will take place at the New Berlin Performing Arts Center, part of the school district’s New Berlin West campus on Cleveland Avenue, June 18-21, 2025.
“The city is always looking for partnerships and developments that focus on the economic health of our community,” New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament said in a statement included in a news release by pageant officials. “This partnership will enhance our local economy by attracting visitors and promoting community engagement.”
New Berlin School District officials said they also appreciate Miss Wisconsin Organization’s recognition of the local performing arts center, a venue that they say has growing prestige in the region.
“The West Performing Arts Center is a beautiful venue,” Joe Garza, New Berlin School District superintendent, said in a statement. “Over the last couple of years, we have worked hard to bring more concerts and special events to it so that our community can enjoy this tremendous space.”
Garza called the collaboration between district, city and pageant officials a “mutually beneficial partnership,” one which “aligns perfectly with our strategic goals and will give us yet another opportunity to showcase the PAC and our incredible school district.”
Miss Wisconsin Organization likewise praised the New Berlin venue and effort, but also voiced appreciation for Oshkosh and its long connection to Miss Wisconsin.
“On behalf of the Miss Wisconsin Organization, I would like to thank Oshkosh for 61 wonderful years hosting our competition,” Brenda Baudo, executive director of the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization, said in the release. “We are forever grateful for the incredible generosity and support of countless volunteers and businesses who helped shape who we are today.
“As we embark on our move to a new host city, we are excited about our partnership and possibilities of future events leading up to and including our competition,” Baudo added.
In a story published by the Oshkosh Northwestern, Oshkosh officials admitted a combination of surprise and sadness over the pending departure of the mainstay competition locally.
“Our community has been extremely supportive of this event and we are disappointed by this news,” said Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Amy Albright. “We are proud to have hosted this event for 61 years and wish the organization all the best.”
The Miss Wisconsin Competition is open to young women ages 14 to 27 interested in competing for the title and related scholarship.
The precursor Miss New Berlin and Miss West Allis Competitions will be held on Nov. 23. Pageant officials noted that four Miss Wisconsin winners — Jayme Dawicki in 2002, Tracy Gest in 2005, Meghan Coffey in 2006 and Rosalie Smith in 2015 — have either hailed from or represented New Berlin over the past 25 years.
Oshkosh Northwestern reporter Justin Marville contributed to this story.
Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Miss Wisconsin pageant announces move from Oshkosh to New Berlin
