Since 1948, the crowning of Miss Fourth of July, and more recently, Little Miss Fourth of July, has been an annual tradition. As with so many things, 2020 broke the pageant streak, though the reigning winners from 2019, Jillian Fitting and Mekayla Neves, stayed on to fill their roles through last year’s pared-down celebration (consequently becoming the longest-serving Miss and Little Miss Fourth of July on record).

For Pageant Chairman Patty Squatrito, it’s been a year of adaptations, right up until the last minute, when unseasonably cold and wet weather forced Saturday’s announcement of the winners and coronation indoors, limiting the number of people who could attend. This was after arranging to hold much of the pageant one-on-one, with each contestant meeting with the panel of four judges individually.

For the Little Miss contestants, their 3-minute interviews included answering a prepared question; the older girls sat for 5-minute interviews, and answered a randomly selected question. For each, judging was based as follows: 50 percent on the interview, 30 percent on the question, and 20 percent on poise and appearance.

This year, there were 11 Miss Fourth of July contestants, all Bristol residents between the ages of 16 and 20, and students in good standing. There were 14 Little Miss contestants, ages 7 to 9, also Bristol residents — though three were quarantined and unable to attend the coronation.

Saturday night’s festivities included opening remarks and the introduction of the contestants by Mistress of Ceremonies Mary Lou Palumbo; a few words from Ms. Squatrito and Fourth of July Committee General Chairman Michele Martins, and a farewell to Ms. Fitting and Ms. Neves.

Then it was all over but the coronation. With the interviews completed and scored days earlier, the winners had been known for days by one person alone: the pageant tabulator, who delivered the results to be announced by Ms. Palumbo.

“My only regret is that not all the girls will be selected,” said Ms. Squatrito. “They are all winners.”

The top finishers were as follows:

Miss Fourth of July is Victoria Paige Travassos, 18, the daughter of Albano and Michelle Travassos. She is a senior at Portsmouth Abbey School who plans to attend either the University of Miami or the University of California, Irvine with a major in international studies/pre-law and a minor in economics. Her future ambition is to pursue a career in international law. She enjoys music, trivia, skiing, community service, participating in her church’s youth group, and learning languages.

First Runner-Up is Aditi Mehta, 17, the daughter of Sanjay and Aradhana Mehta. She is a junior at Mt. Hope High School whose future ambition is to become a biomedical scientist. She enjoys mathematics, science, reading, performing community service, playing sports, and traveling.

Second Runner-Up is Samantha Martins, 18, the daughter of Archie and Michele Martins. She has completed her freshman year at Rhode Island College with a major in elementary education and a minor in science. Her future ambition is to become a fifth-grade science teacher. She enjoys traveling with her family, astrology, shopping, listening to music, dancing, art, and being a barista at a coffee shop.

Third Runner-Up is Emily Almonte, 17, the daughter of Michael Dyer and Nancy Vargas. She is a junior at Mt. Hope High School, and her future ambition is to become a forensic psychologist. She enjoys walking, going to the gym, dancing, singing, art, and writing in a journal.

Fourth Runner-Up is Catherine Quesnelle, 17, the daughter of Christopher and Diane Quesnelle. She is a senior at Mt. Hope High School who plans to attend the University of Tampa with a major in biology. Her future ambition is to become a doctor. She enjoys participating in her high school’s debate team and environmental club, playing tennis, working with children, painting, and ceramics.

Little Miss Fourth of July is Eden Sweeney, age 9, the daughter of Matthew Tucker and Tracy Sweeney and also Eric and Beth Sweeney. A fourth-grade student at Colt-Andrews School, Eden enjoys dancing, gymnastics, acting, painting, photography, and playing the piano. She would like to be a photographer when she grows up.

First Runner-Up is Hope Tucker, age 8, the daughter of Ethan Tucker and Faye Hollander. A third-grade student at Colt-Andrews School, Hope enjoys dancing, horseback riding, reading, and painting. She would like to be a singer or a dancer when she grows up.

Second Runner-Up is Mya Faith Goncalves, age 9, the daughter of Rody and Bethanie Goncalves. A third-grade student at Colt-Andrews School, Mya enjoys dancing, singing, and acting. She would like to be a farm owner and a ballerina when she grows up.