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.

 

President Trump is opting not to give Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Multiple outlets report Trump told Ukranian President Zelensky during Friday's meeting the U.S. would not provide long-range missiles for now. The Ukrainian leader had earlier said he thinks Russia is afraid of the possibility of the U.S. giving his country the missiles, after Trump confirmed there might be a possible swap of Tomahawks for Ukrainian drones.        President Trump is commuting George Santos' prison sentence. The disgraced former Republican congressman from New York pleaded guilty to identity theft and wire fraud in August 2024. He was serving seven years in prison. In a Truth Social Post, Trump implied the sentence was too harsh, adding that Santos will be released immediately.        Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton is entering a plea of not guilty to his federal charges. Bolton was indicted yesterday on federal charges related to alleged mishandling of classified documents. He surrendered to federal authorities in Maryland this morning.        The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to allow the National Guard to be deployed to Chicago. Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump's deployment to the Chicago area. The judge partially granted a temporary restraining order requested by lawyers representing Democrat Governor JB Pritzker. On Friday, the Justice Department filed an emergency application at the high court requesting a pause to the order to allow troops to enter Illinois.        New approval numbers for President Trump are in. According to a new Emerson College Polling survey, Trump is reported to have a 45-percent job approval rating and a 48-percent disapproval rating. However, when it comes to his handling of the war between Israel and Hamas, results show a 47-percent approval rating compared to a 34-percent disapproval rating which is up from the 30-percent approval rating he received in the Emerson 100-day poll released in April.        Prince Andrew is giving up his royal titles. Andrew, who is the younger brother to King Charles, issued a statement via Buckingham Palace announcing that he would no longer use the honors conferred upon him after facing fresh questions over his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to the statement, the decision was made "in discussion with The King," after concluding that "continued accusations" distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. Andrew has repeatedly denied the allegations and stepped back from public duties in 2019.       

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