After years away, Miss California competition returns to historic Fresno venue
After a few years away, the Miss California pageant, preliminary to Miss America, has returned to its historic home in downtown Fresno.
This week, over 60 locally crowned women and teens from across the state will compete for the title of Miss California or Miss California Teen at Fresno’s Saroyan Theatre.
The venue had been the competition’s home for nearly three decades until 2022, when it moved to Visalia as the organization landed on its feet post COVID-19.
Its return is especially personal to the current Miss California 2025, Rachel Axt, a Fresno native, Fresno State graduate and special education professional.
“It feels full circle to represent Miss California in the same city where my own story began,” Axt said. “Fresno has a long history with this program, and it’s powerful to bring it back here and show what it truly stands for: scholarships, community, and opportunity.”
Miss California relies on sponsors and small business partnerships to fund its production and scholarships, which slowed down as the pandemic hit local businesses hard, the organization’s state co-director, Marissa Honey-Plata, told The Bee. At the same time, Fresno was shifting to union contracts for the Saroyan.
In order to keep giving scholarships to help young women cover the cost of higher education, a pillar of the organization, they had to cut back on production to make up those funds, Honey-Plata said.
“So we just had to make a decision that was best for us, and Visalia threw their hat in the ring, but also they were close enough to Fresno,” she said.
The date of the Miss California 2026 competition had to be changed because the Miss America pageant was to be hosted earlier this year, which Honey-Plata described as a “blessing in disguise.”
An ideal date at the Saroyan happened to be open. Fresno welcomed the organization back “with open arms” and was willing to meet in the middle in terms of costs to bring Miss California back, Honey-Plata said.
Not just glitz and glam
Once delegates hit the stage on competition week, much more preparation has gone into it than just the glitz and glam.
“Of course, that’s a part of it, because in this day and age, you have to look the part if people are going to listen to you,” Honey-Plata said. “But you also have to be strong in what you believe in, and be a good brand ambassador.”
The Miss America organization is based on five pillars: service, scholarship, style, success and sisterhood.
All delegates have a service initiative that is important to them, and they hope to promote. For Fresno’s very own Miss California Axt, that’s being an advocate for autism acceptance and inclusive education.
When young women compete, they’re also earning scholarship dollars or the opportunity to apply. Honey-Plata said it’s better described as a sport than a pageant.
When it comes to selecting a winner, for the teen title, ages ranging from 14 to 18, and the Miss title, ages ranging from 18 to 28, delegates are judged on five different categories.
The interview is 30% of the score, the on-stage question is 10%, fitness is 20%, the evening gown is 20%, and the talent is 20%. The organization is looking for a well-rounded woman who is passionate about her community service, who is well educated and will be a good brand ambassador for Miss California, Honey-Plata said.
Miss California 2026 competition schedule in Fresno
All Miss California 2026 events at the Saroyan Theatre are open to the public. Tickets are available at the box office or online.
- Sunday, June 14: 4 p.m. grand arrival at River Park
- Monday, June 15: 7 p.m. Little Sisters Crowning
- Tuesday, June 16: 7 p.m. Miss California preliminary night one
- Wednesday, June 17: 7 p.m. Miss California preliminary night two
- Thursday, June 18: 7 p.m. teen preliminary
- Friday, June 19: 4 p.m. Miss California’s Teen finals
- Friday, June 19: 7 p.m. Golden State Gala
- Saturday, June 20: 4 p.m. Miss California finals
- Saturday, June 20: 7:30 p.m. Miss California coronation party
This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 2:48 PM.