Prior to the competition , the delegates spent a weekend in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania where they participated in a parade and attended a reception and did some sightseeing . During their first week in Atlantic City , the September 11 attacks occurred , but despite the cancelling of the traditional pageant-eve parade , it was decided to hold the pageant as intended . The contestants themselves voted 2-1 to continue with the competition
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Miss America 2002