ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — The 53 contestants vying to become the next Miss America will meet the public on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

Entrants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands will appear Wednesday afternoon at the traditional welcoming ceremony across from Boardwalk Hall.

This is the second year that the pageant, which began in Atlantic City, has returned to its roots after several years in Las Vegas.

The nationally televised finale will be held Sept. 14.