When Anthony and Diana Mattioda are crowned as Re and the Regina of the 52nd Annual McAlester Italian Festival, they will continue a family tradition. Anthony and Diana Mattioda are set to be crowned Re and Regina of the 2024 Italian Festival during opening ceremonies on the festival’s main stage, set for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11.

The festival is set to continue through 7 p.m. Saturday. When they are crowned, the Mattiodas will follow a family tradition set by Anthony’s parents, Tony and Gloria Mattioda, of Hartshorne, who were crowned the Italian Festival Re and Regina in 1996. Anthony and Diana Mattioda said they are glad to serve as the next Re and Regina for the long-running event.