Sandy Tierney, of Warrenton, Va., better known as Okra Lee Gumbo, screamed with glee yesterday as she was crowned Miss Natchez Under-the-Hill during Floozie Day festivities – garnering 10 points toward the Commodore’s Cup, which goes to the winner of the Great Mississippi Steamboat Race.

&uot;I’m so excited,&uot; she said. &uot;I froze under pressure.&uot;

Passengers aboard the Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen steamboats from New Orleans to St. Louis, Mo., were treated to laughs, and even a few blushes, as 12 women – chosen as finalists from each boat – &uot;strutted their stuff&uot; across a in a tent in the Silver Street parking lot.

&uot;We’re just going to get our there and strut our stuff,&uot; said Edna Cross of Leesburg, Va. &uot;We have a great time with this and we enjoy it to the fullest.&uot;

The contestants were allowed to dance and shake across the stage for about 45 seconds, while judges, including past winners, boat captains, chef Joe Cahn of New Orleans and Natchez resident Stephen Guido.

The annual event is held each year on June 26, the first stop the boats make during the Great Mississippi Steamboat Race.