Community Corner

Corriveault Crowned Mardi Gras Queen

Coronation ceremony at The Cakery kicks off Woonsocket's Mardi Gras celebration.

Although ten lovely ladies competed for the title of 2011 Mardi Gras Queen, only one could be chosen to reign over the ball.

Woonsocket residents young and old came together Sunday afternoon to crown the newest young woman to carry on the city's beloved Mardi Gras tradition. After more than a month of ticket sales, Amanda Corriveault raised the most funds and will preside over the grand ball next Saturday at the . 

"I'm surprised, and I'm happy," Corriveault said at the coronation. The Queen works at Sovereign Bank and City Side in Woonsocket and was a 2005 graduate of Blackstone High School. The two runners-up, who will serve as Princesses, are Michelle Tessier and Kali Darling.

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Jeannette Cousineau was the master of ceremonies at Sunday's coronation, which was attended by not only the ten contestants and King Jace XVII in full costume, but many kings and queens from years past. At least three of the contestants were recruited by local entertainer and 2001 king Noel Pincince.   

The coronation was dedicated to the memory of Donna Dalti Gallant, a sales associate and radio announcer for WNRI, and Mardi Gras Queen from 1999.  Gallant died of cancer last year.

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"I had the pleasure of working with her at WNRI. She was just a great person," said Mardi Gras Chairperson is Romeo Berthiaume, host of the Saturday Morning Show on WOON Radio. Cousineau presented flowers to attending members of Gallant's family.

All of the contestants received gifts for their participation and members from the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts, the group sponsoring the celebration, were on hand to sell tickets and beads for next weekend's ball. The menu for the ball was also announced and will include Cajun appetizers and entrees catered by Gary McLaughlin. 

"I'm ready to party next Saturday," said contestant Elizabeth Valeika as Cousineau introduced the girls to the crowd. 

Another contestant and part-owner of The Cakery, Sarah Gauvin juggled the last of her Sunday morning customers while setting out complimentary pastries, just in time for a gracious speech. "It has been a great event for so many years and I want to help bring some life into it."

Although economic difficulties have dwindled the tradition in recent years, cutting what was once a five venue ball down to just one location, the optimism and high spirits at the coronation could be signs of just such a new "life." 

"We might have two sites next year. That's going to be a big decision," said Cousineau.

Entertainment at the ball will include one local Zydeco act "Slippery Sneakers", and Louisiana's "Lil Waynes & Same Ol' Two Step."  Ladies are encouraged to dress in costume, and men in disguise.  Tickets to attend the Mardi Gras can still be purchased through Lorraine Cloutier by calling 762-9072 and are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

For more information on all of Woonsocket's Mardi Gras festivities, visit Patch information on Children's Mardi Gras , King Jace(with all ten photos and clues ) and for history of the celebration, stop .


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