JDC Miss Hospitality poses with Mississippi's Miss Hospitality Chloe Grace Weeks after arriving in Hattiesburg.

Jefferson Davis County Miss Hospitality Mariah Evans is now in Hattiesburg for the week-long Miss Hospitality state competition.

A send-off party was held for Evans and Jefferson Davis County Little Miss Hospitality Mia Middleton July 11 at the Administrative Building in Prentiss.

“I am very honored to represent Jefferson Davis County,” said Evans. “It is full of amazing people, and I want to go to Hattiesburg and show everyone that, so thank you for this opportunity,” she said.

Evans checked in for the festivities on Sunday and was welcomed by City of Hattiesburg and University of Southern Mississippi officials.  Monday, the contestants toured Hattiesburg and ended with a tailgate party at USM.

Middleton will join Evans for the competition on Friday and Saturday.

“It is great to have Evans representing the county as our goodwill ambassador for tourism and economic development,” said JDC Economic Development Director Gary Bass.

“Her presence on that stage brings a positive light to our county. I hope her role serves to enlighten and inspire other girls that want or need scholarship money for college to apply for JDC Miss Hospitality 2026,” he said.

This year, Mississippi Miss Hospitality is commemorating 76 years of serving the state’s economic development and tourism industries.

On Wednesday, Evans will have her one-on-one interview, with her panel interview being Thursday.

Friday will be her 90 second speech, an autograph party at Turtle Creek Mall and the preliminary on-stage competition. Top 3 Mississippi Speech, the Jay Slaughter Memorial Scholarship and Top Ad Sales will be announced during Friday’s preliminary competition.

The final on-stage competition will be Saturday night at the Saenger Theater in Hattiesburg at 8 p.m. Top 10, Top 5, Spirit of Miss Hospitality, Social Media Scholarship and Most Photogenic will be announced along with the crowning of the 2025 Miss Hospitality.