Peach Queen Pageant returns to Wilbraham after 1-year hiatus

The pageant is at 1 p.m. at Saint Cecilia's Parish Center on Main Street.

File photo by David Molnar / The RepublicanPast Peach Queen Jenna R. Krzanik is seen in the 2008 Wilbraham Peach Festival parade.

WILBRAHAM - The Peach Queen Pageant is back.

No Peach Queen Pageant was held last year, the first year the Wilbraham Peach Festival was discontinued.

But when the town began planning for its 250th Anniversary Celebration in 2013, Patricia Diolatevi, longtime chair of the Peach Queen Pageant, decided to bring it back.

Diolatevi said the pageant is back permanently, and will be held every year.

The 25th Peach Queen Pageant will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. in St. Cecilia’s Parish Center on Main Street.

There are five contestants, Diolatevi said.

They are Nicole Asselin, Brianna Bateson, Elizabeth Bones, Marissa Halpin and Charlotte Lawson.

The new Peach Queen and her court will be chosen.

The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Wilbraham Community Association, the first runner up will receive a $500 scholarship and the three other court members will receive $300 scholarships each.

The new Peach Queen will march in the 250th anniversary parade which will be held in June, 2013, Diolatevi said.

Diolatevi said she plans to invite the Peach Queens from the last 25 years to march in the parade which will be held in June, 2013.

The new Peach Queen will be judged on four events, Diolatevi said.

In the first event, the contestants will be asked for their name, address and their future goals.

The contestants are usually high school seniors.

In the second event, the contestants are judged on a pageantry walk.

In the third event the contestants are asked to give a speech which explains why they want to be Peach Queen.

In the fourth event, the contestants are judged on their ability to “think on their feet” and answer questions, Diolatevi said.

A variety of events has been planned for the 250th Anniversary Celebration including a First Night Celebration on New Year’s Even, a Quarter Millenium Ball, a parade ending with a picnic and band concert at Fountain Park, a Taste of Wilbraham, a golf tournament, a house tour and a giant town-wide tag sale.

Diolatevi and former Selectman Kevin J. Moriarty are chairing the 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee.