The MangoMania kick-off party held last week drew record numbers who waited in anticipation of the announcement of this year’s Mango Queen. On Thursday evening at Earth and Spirit Garden Gallery, Matlacha resident, Carrie Call was crowned as the queen to reign over the 2010 MangoMania Tropical Fruit Festival. Relinquishing her crown was Queen Robin Lilly.

“I want to congratulate Carrie and assure her that I will be here to advise and support her through out her reign as Mango Queen,” said Lilly. “She is sure to have a fun-filled year promoting the festival as well as the businesses and attractions here on Pine Island.”

Call has vowed to promote Pine Island and the festival far beyond the island borders.

“As queen, I will promote Pine Island and MangoMania not only on the island to all of our wonderful businesses and fun individuals, but also off-island and throughout the county, bringing people in to attend the event who may not have visited us before. MangoMania is so much fun and shows off so much of Pine Island’s rich agricultural heritage. We should promote it as much as we can.”

During the evening, Call also presented her first proclamation as queen.

“I have selected a Mango court, so that the other queen candidates and former queens would know they have a voice in the event,” Call said. “That way everyone gets to have fun and promote MangoMania and Pine Island.”

Call appointed former queen Robin LIlly as well as queen candidates Barbara Luck and Karen Burns to serve on the queen’s court.

During her reign as queen, Call will visit members of the Lee County Visitors and Conventions Bureau and the Lee County Commissioners as well as visiting area schools, businesses and meetings of various organizations.

MangoMania will take place at the German-American Club on July 17 and 18 and for more information, visit the official MangoMania website at floridascreativecoast.com