Finally, the finals are about to begin at the Miss California Pageant. A crowd of hundreds is finding seats in the Saroyan Theatre.

Fathers of some contestants are in tuxedos. Some women are wearing fancy dresses. Many people sport campaign-style buttons bearing the smiling faces of their favorite contestants.

John Coate of Atwater has one of the buttons on his tux. His daughter is Miss Central Valley Sarah Coate.

"It's really exciting, but also nerve-wracking," he said. "You're watching your daughter conquer her fears. It's really neat to see her grow right in front of you."

The public might have largely dismissed pageants, but the people here care about the crowning of a new Miss California because itʼs personal. They are rooting for their daughters, granddaughters, sisters and nieces.