It will be a first-of-its-kind reunion of at least a dozen women who represented Arcadia as a Rose Queen or Princess over a 60-year span when they return to be showcased in the Arcadia’s Best Patriotic Festival parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 2.
194 Rose Queen Virginia Bower
62 years later, Virginia Bower Nichols is as happy and as radiant as ever.
Queens and Princesses covering at least five different decades have already confirmed appearances, including 1949 Queen Virginia Bower Nichols, who is coming to Arcadia from Walnut Creek near San Francisco for another ride in a parade, this one in her former hometown. “Arcadia was my home from age four until my marriage in 1950,” during which she wore her coronation dress, she says, as did her daughter at her wedding. And it must have been good luck because Nichols has been married for 60 years. A Princess from 1954-55, Susan Quarness James, will be coming all the way from Montana and will ride in a 1928 Ford Roadster provided by Dick Anderson of Arcadia. They will be joined by more recent Rose Queens Courtney Lee (2009) and Natalie Innocenzi (2010), as well as 2010 Princess June Ko, all of Arcadia. “The Rose Court experience was nothing short of extraordinary,” says June Ko. “I am very excited and honored to participate in Arcadia’s Best Patriotic Festival!”
2010 Rose Queen Natalie Innocenzi
Innocenzi today has wonderful memories of her Rose experience.
Others joining the special festivities include 2001 Rose Princesses Crystal Uribe and Nini Wu; 1996 Rose Princess Sarah Clinton Edgington; 1988 Queen Julie Myers King; 1987 Rose Princess Diane Welch Sears; and 1951 Princess June Roan Patterson.Three others are also hoping to attend: Melissa Villagagran Kaliel (1991), 1987 Queen Kristin Harris McDonald, and 1980 Princess Linda Wieczorek.
Additional members of this elite group are encouraged to join this celebration of Arcadia royalty that will feature each Queen and Princess getting their own spotlight in a separate special vehicle riding on First Avenue from north of Duarte Road to Bonita Street just north of First Avenue Middle School. A group photo will be taken to commemorate the special occasion. Royalty from the Arcadia floats in the Rose parade for many years are also invited to participate.
1951 Rose Princess June Roan (Patterson)
Details about the free festival in Downtown Arcadia, sponsored by non-profit community events group Arcadia’s Best Foundation, and featuring the parade, 10 gourmet food trucks, a car show, street fair, and photo contest, can be found at http://ArcadiasBestFoundation.org. To participate, please e-mail info@ArcadiasBestFoundation.org, or call 626-538-5431.
Sponsors, City and Volunteer Supporters Founding sponsors include the Gold Line Metro Foothill Transportation Authority, Arcadia Masonic Lodge, Mickey Segal, Waste Management, Post Alarm Systems, Peter Amundson, Santa Anita Park, Matt Denny’s Ale House and Restaurant, Foothill Credit Union, The Book Rack/Image Foundry, The Arcadia Historical Society, and Richard Libby.
2010 Rose Princes June Ko
Arcadia’s Best Patriotic Festival has been unanimously approved by the Arcadia City Council and is supported by the City of Arcadia and the Arcadia Police and Fire Departments.
Other participating and supporting groups include the Arcadia Chinese Association, the Arcadia Education Foundation, Arcadia Republicans,Assistance League of Arcadia, the Arcadia Rotary Club, the Tzu Chi, and many others.Many of those groups and others, along with many individuals, have provided invaluable volunteer support.
For more information and to participate, visit http://ArcadiasBestFoundation.org, e-mail: info@ArcadiasBestFoundation.org, or call 626-538-5431.
This is the second event created by Arcadia’s Best Foundation following last fall’s One Community, One Book program featuring a program and discussion of the 50th anniversary of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Arcadia’s Best Foundation founding partners are Sho Tay, Carol Libby, and Scott Hettrick.