Search ensues for the next Mango Queen
Searching the kingdoms of Pine Island and Matlacha far and wide for the next woman to be crowned at Mango Queen are the members of the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce. One special woman will have the honor of representing the communities of Pine Island and Matlacha as well as holding court over the upcoming 15th annual MangoMania Tropical Fruit Festival scheduled to take place on July 30 and 31.
“The Mango Queen is given the opportunity to not only promote our festival, but our community as well,” said chamber director Lisa Benton. “Not only will she be treated like royalty, she also will enjoy the esteemed honor associated with the title that all of our past queens have enjoyed.”
As Mango Queen, the chosen candidate will travel throughout the Lee County area to promote the event making official calls on members of the Board of Lee County Commissioners as well as other noted dignitaries. She also will make special appearances at area businesses and take the spotlight on both television and radio spots during her term as queen. The queen will also participate in other chamber functions including riding atop the chamber float in the Pine Island Fourth of July parade.
Anyone can nominate a candidate to rule as Mango Queen and the criteria for consideration follows:
— The candidate must be a resident of Pine Island or Matlacha
— She must be at least 18 years of age
— She must be available to reign over the two-day MangoMania festival and to make special appearances from the time she receives the crown until her term of service is up.
Candidates for Mango Queen can be a self nomination or can be nominated by another person. Nominations will close on Friday, April 8, when the last submissions will be accepted for consideration at the Chamber Welcome Center in Matlacha.
Robin Lilly, 2009 MangoMania Queen, recalled her experience as one she will long remember.
“Having been Mango Queen, I would encourage all Pine Island ladies to get their nominations in to the chamber. It was a wonderful experience and one I will always remember,” Lilly said. “It was not only a great way to introduce people from the Lee County area to our wonderful island, but also to promote our businesses and share our envied life-style, not to mention, it was just a great deal of fun.”
Robin Lilly and her husband Chris Capone are full-time Pine Island residents and the owners and operators of Little Lilly’s Island Deli at the island center.
After reviewing the nominations, the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce board of directors will determine the MangoMania Queen for 2011 during its meeting on April 12, and a formal announcement will be made during an event scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 19, at Four Winds Marina in Bokeelia. After receiving her crown at the MangoMania Kick Off Party, the new queen will greet her subjects and then participate in her first royal duty. Along with the Mango King, the queen will cast fresh fruit into the waters of Pine Island Sound to offer them up to the hurricane gods to ensure good weather for the 2011 MangoMania Tropical Fruit Festival.
Nominations can be presented in person at the Chamber Welcome Center or mailed to P.O. Box 325, Matlacha, Fla. 33993.
For more information, call the Chamber Welcome Center at 283-0888 and for more information about the 2011 MangoMania Tropical Fruit Festival, visit pineislandchamber.org