DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse and The Miss America Organization Proudly Announce the Return of the Beloved Tradition - The Miss America Parade

DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse and The Miss America Organization Proudly Announce the Return of the Beloved Tradition - The Miss America Parade

Friday, January 14, 2011 Paris Las Vegas

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Miss America Organization has announced the highly-anticipated return of a beloved tradition, the Miss America Parade, renamed the "DSW Show Us Your Shoes Parade" presented by DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse! The parade will be hosted by the incomparable Robin Leach, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies. For the first time since 2005, the 2011 Miss America Pageant festivities will include this unique tradition in the host city of Las Vegas, on Friday, January 14, 2011 at the Arc de Triomphe at Paris Las Vegas. The event is open to the public, and the parade starts at 12 p.m. PST.

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The Miss America Organization's Board Chairman, Sam Haskell III stated, "We are proud to have partnered with DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse to be the presenting sponsor for the 2011 Miss America Pageant, which will air live on ABC, January 15, from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas."

"Through this partnership, we were able to celebrate a great tradition and create a new parade for the visitors of Las Vegas to enjoy. The parade will feature all 53 Miss America contestants along with Miss Americas throughout the decades presenting their DSW shoes," stated The Miss America Organization's President and CEO, Art McMaster. "This will be another special event that will help commemorate the pageant's 90th anniversary."

In addition to the event being hosted by celebrity extraordinaire, Robin Leach, a musical performance by Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron, as well as appearances by other special guests and dignitaries, will add to the festivities and parlay the excitement of the pageant. City officials will be on hand to read a proclamation declaring January 15, 2011 "Miss America Day" in Las Vegas.

The "Show Us Your Shoes" tradition of the Miss America Parade began in the early 1970s in Atlantic City, N.J., when a group of parade viewers in bleachers overlooking the boardwalk wanted to get a better look at the beautiful shoes the contestants were wearing while traveling the parade route in their convertibles. The contestants happily obliged and "showed their shoes" to the crowds, as they will proudly do when they walk the Arc de Triomphe at Paris Las Vegas on Friday, January 14, 2011.

"We are so proud to be contributing to this great tradition and are extremely pleased that all of the Miss America contestants will be wearing and decorating DSW shoes," said Mike MacDonald, President and CEO of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse.

Paris Las Vegas, located next to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, brings the romance and excitement of the European City of Light to the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. From its dramatic 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower to authentic architectural reproductions, Paris Las Vegas transports guests to Europe's most romantic city.

To keep up to date on all the special events planned for the 90th anniversary of the Miss America Organization, visit the Miss America website at www.missamerica.org or follow the Miss America Organization on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MissAmericaOrganization or Twitter at www.twitter.com/MissAmericaLIVE.

About DSW Inc.

DSW Inc. is a leading branded footwear specialty retailer that offers a wide selection of brand name and designer dress, casual, and athletic footwear for women and men. DSW operates 313 stores in 39 states and an e-commerce site, www.dsw.com. DSW also supplies footwear to 351 leased locations in the United States. For store locations and additional information about DSW, visit www.dswinc.com.

About the Miss America Organization:

The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. For more information, go to www.missamerica.org.

About Paris Las Vegas:

Paris Las Vegas brings the romance and excitement of the European City of Light to the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. The passion and sophistication of Paris Las Vegas transports guests to Europe's most romantic city. From its dramatic 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower to authentic architectural reproductions, Paris Las Vegas is a romantic, relaxing destination for anyone looking to get away. The resort features elegant decor, European-inspired boutiques and a distinctive array of fine cuisine, including Chef Joho's acclaimed Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Les Artistes Steakhouse and French-bistro Mon Ami Gabi. Singer-songwriter and entertainment icon Barry Manilow performs in the Paris Theatre as the resort's headliner. The property boasts 181,000 square feet of convention space, 2,900 hotel rooms/suites, and an 85,000 square feet casino. For more information visit www.parislasvegas.com.

SOURCE DSW Inc.

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DSW Inc.

CONTACT: Abby Green, +1-614-872-1090

Web Site: http://www.DSWinc.com

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