Miss America Contestants Show Off Their Shoes With Help From Jackson Band [VIDEO]

Miss America contestants restarted a boardwalk tradition by showing off their shoes.

With the pageant making its return to New Jersey this year, the 53 competitors paraded down the Atlantic City boardwalk Saturday evening to the refrain of "show us your shoes!"

Some contestants sported footwear that reflects their state. Miss Florida's shoes depicted alligators, Miss Indiana's had basketballs and hoops, Miss New Jersey sported sea shells and Miss Arizona's had a cactus.

Others are took a different approach. Miss South Dakota opted for metal-studded black leather boots and Miss Oklahoma donned black and red cowboy boots.

The Jackson Memorial Marching Band, a continuing a busy 2013, was part of the parade on the iconic boardwalk lined by 20,000 fans. Band director Bud McCormick says there were more people along the boardwalk than there were for the presidential inaugural parade which the band also marched in last January.

"Good job!' exclaimed McCormick in praising the band's performance and looking forward to the band's upcoming Showcase of Champions marching band show on Saturday, October 12. "From what i saw and heard both Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty Bands are both having an outstanding year. The sound, the precision is totally amazing this year,20 Shore band will be part of the showcase."

The Marching Jaguars will also be the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington DC next spring and also the St. Patricks Day Parade in New York City.

The Miss America pageant is back in Atlantic City after six years in Las Vegas. The winner will be crowned during Sunday night's nationally televised broadcast on ABC.

The Associated Press contributed to this report