UPDATE: According to the Puerto Vallarta municipal government's website, the venue for the 'Reina Fiestas Patrias 2017' Contest has been changed. It is now set to be held on Thursday, September 14 at 8:00 pm at the Sheraton Buganvilias Hotel. The event is free and open to the public.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The City of Puerto Vallarta enthusiastically started the 2017 Independence Day celebration on Friday, September 8th with the presentation of the 'Reina Fiestas Patrias 2017' candidates and the taking of the official photograph with Mayor Arturo Dávalos Peña.

The municipal president wished the eight beautiful participants the best of luck in the pageant, which will be held in the courtyard of the municipal presidency from 8-11 pm on September 14 as part of the city's Independence Day celebrations.

The young ladies who will vie for the Queen of the 2017 Fiestas Patrias crown are: Dahiana Jarely Lorenzo Silva, Marissa Goretty Peñuelas Martínez, Vania Paulina Cervantes Coronado, America Isabel Robles López, Alejandra Monserrat Gatica Ortiz, Sheyla Monserrat Garibo Contreras, Scarlett Palmira López Guevara and Elizabeth Peralta, all of whom will do their utmost to demonstrate not only their beauty, but also their preparation and knowledge about the traditions of our country and the history of Mexico.

Other qualities that will help the jury decide who will be representing our city as 'La Reina de las Fiestas Patrias 2017' are personality, stage presence, verbal expression, elegance and identity.

The contest will be developed in three stages. The first phase will consist of the presentation of each of the candidates, who will take their first walk down the runway. During the second phase of the competition the ladies will take the catwalk in casual wear and answer the first round of questions about the country and its celebrations. The third phase will consist of walking the catwalk in evening dress and answering the second round of traditional questions.

All these aspects will be qualified by the judges to determine this year's Fiestas Patrias Pageant Queen, as well as the First and Second Princess for 2017. These activities are coordinated by the Municipal Directorate of Tourism.