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Bert Parks statue.

Bert Parks Crowns You Miss America

Field review by the editors.

Atlantic City, New Jersey

In the tea garden of an Atlantic City hotel, anyone can be crowned Miss America by the pageant's longtime master of ceremonies, Bert Parks.

He was an integral part of the iconography of beauty pageants, the guy in tuxedo and tie singing "There she is, Miss America!" TV and radio personality Bert Parks faithfully hosted the broadcast of the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City from 1955 to 1979. A bronze statue of the 6-ft. tall entertainer stands in the roundabout in front of the Sheraton Atlantic City Hotel, across from the Convention Center where Parks hosted 25 seasons of the glamorous event.

The 400-lb. bronze was sculpted by Arizona artist Snell Johnson (his signature is on the left shoulder) and its 1998 unveiling was attended by veteran beauty queens and city dignitaries. The life-size likeness, approved by Parks' family, depicts Parks holding out a jeweled crown. Visitors step into the empty spot, head positioned between Bert's hands, and sensor stigmata in the palms trigger an audiotape to play "There She Is."

Bert Parks statue.

Break the beam and live your dream!

After a repair in 2013, the statue underwent a digital audio upgrade, and continues to offer the song as part of the photo op experience.

Parks was let go from the pageant in 1980 by owners seeking a more youthful demographic. He returned to the Miss America stage in 1990 to sing "There She Is" one last time. He died in 1992.

Bert Parks Crowns You Miss America

Address:
2 Convention Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ
Directions:
Stands in a small outdoor garden between the Sheraton hotel and the Atlantic City Convention Center. From Baltic Ave., just north of its intersection with the Atlantic City Expy, turn left at the first stoplight onto N. Michigan Ave. Bear left and the road ends in a turnaround; the statue stands there.
Admission:
Free
RA Rates:
Major Fun
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Frank Sinatra's Used Towel, EnshrinedFrank Sinatra's Used Towel, Enshrined, Atlantic City, NJ - < 1 mi.
Caesar's Horse-Drawn ChariotCaesar's Horse-Drawn Chariot, Atlantic City, NJ - < 1 mi.
Home of the Miss America PageantHome of the Miss America Pageant, Atlantic City, NJ - < 1 mi.
In the region:
Totally Hot Lady Liberty, Atlantic City, NJ - 1 mi.

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