Woonsocket Radio News Room

Northern RI Council of the Arts

PO Box 1723 Woonsocket, RI 02895

 

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 

 

2019 MARDI GRAS QUEEN CONTEST

LOOKING FOR CONTESTANTS!

 

The Northern RI Council of the Arts has begun its search for contestants to participate in the 2019 Mardi Gras Queen Contest with some exciting changes in store. Any female, 18 years of age or older or will be 18 by February 1, 2019 is eligible to participate. This is not a beauty pageant. The contestant who sells the most raffle, Coronation and Mardi Gras Celebration tickets attains the Queen’s crown. The 2nd and third high sellers receive the title of Princess. Monetary prizes of $500, $250, $100 for the top 3 winners, plus 10% of all raffle ticket sales and gifts from local businesses will be awarded to all participants. 

 

The Queen’s Coronation, where Queen and Princesses are announced, will take place on Friday, February 15th, 2019 at Savini’s Pomodoro Restaurant in Woonsocket from 6 to 8 pm with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, dessert and coffee. Tickets for the event are only $10. In addition to the Coronation, King Jace XXV will be unmasked during the evening’s celebration.

 

The King, Queen, and their court will preside over the Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday evening, February 23rd, 2019 at the St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center in Woonsocket. Contestants are advised to enter the contest by Saturday, November 17, 2018 to allow time to sell tickets before the events but will not be turned away if they join after this date. 

 

The original Mardi Gras celebration originated in 1954 when a four day event drew crowds up to 150,000 people at the height of its popularity and ended in 1961, after interest had waned over the years. In 1995, NRICA renewed the celebration and continues today. Proceeds from the ticket sales help to offset the cost of the annual Mardi Gras celebration. Contact Nicole Riendeau, at 401-644-7606 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on becoming a contestant.

 

There are reports the Justice Department is investigating Minnesota's governor and the Minneapolis mayor. Multiple outlets cite U.S. officials saying Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey are being investigated for allegedly obstructing federal law enforcement. One official says the investigation centers on statements the two leaders have made about the thousands of ICE and Border Patrol agents deployed to Minneapolis. Their presence has sparked protests, which have grown since the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer last week.        Court is done for the week in the Charlie Kirk assassination case in Utah. Lawyers for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of shooting the conservative personality at a rally in September, argued a key prosecutor has a family member who was present at the time Kirk was shot. They say that communications between them raise concerns over impartiality and the prosecution's decision to seek the death penalty, and argue the prosecutor should be disqualified.        President Trump says he currently doesn't have reason to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota. Before leaving the White House for Florida on Friday, Trump was asked about using the act as protests continue in Minneapolis. Trump said there's no reason to use it at this time, adding, that if he "needed it, it's available" to him. The Insurrection Act would give Trump the authority to deploy the military to suppress a rebellion on American soil.        Virginia Senate Democrats are sending a redistricting amendment to voters for approval. If voters support the amendment in a special election, which is expected to be on the spring ballot, the Legislature would be able to redraw the state's congressional map before midterms. Democrats currently have a six-five edge in the state's congressional delegation, looking to control either a ten-one or nine-two split for the new map.        Renee Good was unresponsive when first responders arrived after she was shot by an ICE agent last week in Minneapolis. A newly released incident report from the Minneapolis Fire Department offered more clarity into the incident, with Good having two apparent gunshot wounds to her right chest, one on her left forearm and another possible wound on the left side of her head. Good's killing has led to protests nationwide, while the Trump administration is calling her a "domestic terrorist."        Bad Bunny is previewing his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show performance. The video shows the singer walking through a forest while playing a song from his most recent album, soon joined by dancers off all different ages and cultures. It ends with a message saying "the world" - all different ages, races and styles - "will dance." Bad Bunny's choice as the headliner of the halftime show has drawn conservative backlash, with the Trump Administration threatening to have ICE agents at the game.       

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