Statue of former Miss America pageant host Bert Parks is shown at Sheraton hotel in Atlantic City, NJ

There she goes - the Miss America beauty pageant is leaving Atlantic City, New Jersey, where it has been held since 1921.

The Miss America Organization announced Thursday that it asked for and received permission to move the annual scholarship competition out of the beach town.

Pageant officials say the decision to leave Atlantic City was made after extremely careful deliberation and in view of the financial considerations facing the organization.

The pageant has been struggling with low ratings and in recent months, lost its broadcast contract with the ABC television network. The Miss America Organization, however, signed a new contract with Country Music Television to air the contest next January.

It has not been determined where the next competition will be held.