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.
“Few events in the community can match the pageantry of the annual Columbus Day Queen pageant,” says Ron Onesti, president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. “The queen will be the star of the Italian community for a year’s reign.”
Sponsored by the JCCIA, this year’s pageant will be held at 1 p.m. on July 26 at the Des Plaines Theatre. The event will be chaired by Rose Mary Ranallo, with Onesti serving as master of ceremonies.
Last year’s queen, Ava Selvaggi, will end her reign at the pageant when she passes the crown to the next Bella Regina.
Contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 26, single and never married, of Italian descent, and live in the Chicago area.
The winner of the contest and the first runner-up will receive prize packages that include $2,000 and $500, respectively. The runner-up and all other participants will serve on the queen’s court at the Columbus Day Parade. This year’s parade is slated for Oct. 13 on State Street between Lake and Van Buren streets in downtown Chicago.
“We encourage all eligible young ladies to participate in this most proud display of our heritage,” Onesti says. “Nothing speaks louder than your presence.”
For more, turn to Page 22.
