The Second International Pageant of Pulchritude and Eighth Annual Bathing Girl Revue was held from May 21 to May 23, 1927, in Galveston, Texas. More contestants from outside the United States entered the pageant compared to the previous year, with women from Cuba, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, and Spain joining. Canada and Mexico also sent delegates, as they had in 1926. There were also 29 contestants from the United States. An estimated 250,000 people attended the events during that weekend, and over $5000 in prizes were given to the winners. The pageant was becoming known as an opportunity for potential movie and stage actresses to be discovered. Miss United States, Dorothy Britton, who represented New York City, was crowned Miss Universe 1927 at the end of the event. She was considered the first American girl to win an international contest of any importance, as well as the first girl from New York City to win a national prize. Events Before the pageant opened, the contestants from Europe toured the Southwest United States for 20 days before arriving at Galveston. The Second International Pageant opened on May 21 with a parade of the contestants in sports costume after a lunch at Gaido's Restaurant. Bands such as El Toreador Band, Miss Spain's official escort Afterwards, contestants were invited to a dance on the pleasure boat Galvez. On May 22, the swimsuit parade was held. Conservative estimates put the number of people in attendance at around 250,000. The entire city was crowded, with hotels filled and heavy street traffic. Bands such as the Santa Fe Shop Band, the official escort for Miss Cleburne, the Missouri Pacific Lines Band, and the Palestine Booster's Club accompanied the parade. The main pageant was held on May 23 at the Galveston City Auditorium. There, Miss United States and the Beauty Queen of the Universe were crowned. Accommodations for the contestants were provided for at the Hotel Galvez and the Hotel Dallas. Pageant format The 1927 pageant saw a change from the previous year, as the contest introduced the selection of a Miss United States. During the final pageant, each of the girls representing cities and states from across the United States were judged, with the top scorer gaining the title of Miss United States. Miss United States would then compete for the Grand Prize and the title of Beauty Queen of the Universe against the foreign competitors.