Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
One of the most thrilling and glamorous events in the Chicago-area Italian-American community is the contest to determine who will reign as La Bella Regina of the Columbus Day Parade.
Sponsored by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, this year’s Columbus Day Queen Contest will be held on July 21 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. The event will be chaired by Jim Glimco and Mauro Glorioso, and choreographed by Marilyn Cusimano Fredericks.
The winner of the contest will walk away with $1,000 in cash plus other prizes, in addition to the crown. The queen and her court will appear at community events prior to the parade, and will be televised live and on taped delay during the festivities.
Contestants must be single and never married, between the ages of 18 and 25, at least 50 percent of Italian descent and a resident of the Chicago metropolitan area.
On hand to pass the torch will be 2012 Columbus Day Queen Olivia Smaniotto and her court: Elisa DeFeo, Norina Infusino, Bianca Vitucci Lev, Victoria Martello and Lynzi Misuraca.
To receive an application to become a contestant, call 708-450-9050 or visit www.jccia.com.
