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 Contest,” says JCCIA Executive Director Jo Ann Serpico. “The queen will be the star of the Italian community for a year’s reign.”

Sponsored by the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, this year’s pageant will be held at 3 p.m. on Aug. 4 at Casa Italia in Stone Park. The event will be chaired by John Galluzzi, with Pat Capriati serving as master of ceremonies and Marilyn Cusimano Fredericks as director.