On 9 August, the City of Las Vegas Business Licensing shut down the Mrs Nevada beauty contest after the crowd size exceeded 50 people, which is a violation of Nevada's mandates imposed to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Police, along with officials from the Las Vegas Department of Business Licensing, stormed Ahern Hotel and shut down the event following reports that there were over 200 people in attendance. In order to save the pageant, the organisers asked all guests that were not participants or directly involved with the event to leave.
"Business Licensing accompanied by Metro Police did visit the property tonight and the event was stopped. Earlier in the weekend the city attempted to notify the Ahern Hotel that the pageant would violate the governor’s directives, but our licensing officer was escorted off property by hotel security", city spokesman Jace Radke said in a statement.
A video showing the moment when the organisers had to ask visitors to leave has emerged online.
Currently, public and private gatherings are limited in the state of Nevada to 50 people or fewer and visitors must wear face masks.
After the spectators left the building, the event resumed behind closed doors, with actress Ashley Tesoro, 37, becoming the winner.