Palisades Amusement Park's Miss American Teen-Ager Contest

This gorgeous summer-like weather of late has had me thinking of all the fun activities that go along with the season. There is always swimming or barbecues, but nothing says summer quite like a trip to an amusement park! When I was little we would always go to Six Flag's Great America in Illinois, but perhaps some of you who grew up on the east coast visited the legendary Palisades Amusement Park in New Jersey? The park closed in 1971, but prior to its closing, a popular program run by the park was the Miss American Teen-Ager pageant.

Started in 1960, the contest was open to young women ages 13 to 17. The winner received a bevy of awesome prizes -- some of which are listed on this entry form that appeared in Falling in Love #100 (July 1968).

DC often ran advertisements for the amusement park and frequently provided cut-out coupons for the park in their comic books. DC's involvement with the park didn't end there, however. The July 1968 issue of Girls' Romances (#134) featured the three page story, "Princess -- American Style" about Miss American Teen-Ager winner, Michele Patrick as interpreted by John Rosenberger.

Wow! A $5,000 wardrobe? That is the equivalent of over $30,000 today! That would buy a whole lot of clothes!!! But that wasn't all for the lucky winner...

How exciting it must have been to be Miss American Teen-Ager! They even sang a song to you during the pageant! Sleestak over at Lady, That's My Skull posted on this story a few years ago and received a bunch of really great comments from ladies who had been involved in the contest at various points during its run. Be sure to read them!