Community members and students alike are invited to attend the annual Tickfaw Italian Festival Ball held in honor of the 2013 Italian Festival royal court.
The ball will be held in the Student Union Ballroom on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door and will cost $20 for singles and $35 for couples. The evening will feature music, food, dancing and a touch of Italian culture.
“It’s just a great way for us to honor all of our royalty and to also have visiting queens come and see the Italian culture,” said Veda Abene, 2013 co-chairmen of Italian Festival. “Students are invited to come if they wish. I think they would have a good time.”
The 2013 royalty include Grand Marshall Joe Musacchia, of Tickfaw; Spaghetti Cook-Off Queen Diane Vaccaro, of Tickfaw and Italian Festival Queen Kasey Daniels, of Amite. Visiting royalty from across Louisiana will also be in attendance.
“When I was crowned the 2013 Miss Italian Festival Queen, I was in complete shock. I believe I was chosen to be the new Miss Italian Festival Queen because I showed the judges how badly I wanted to represent the Italian Festival, and how much it would mean to me to hold this title,” said Daniels. “All of these ladies use their titles as a way to better the community that they represent.”
Daniels attended Southeastern for three years and has recently been accepted into the Southern Medical Corporation to study cardiology.
The Italian Festival Ball is the first of three annual events hosted by the Italian Festival. The Festival will be held in Tickfaw, La. on April 26, 27 and 28. The annual pageant will be held May 11.
“Though it’s moved from Independence to Tickfaw, it’s been running for over 40 years,” said Abene.
Music will be provided by the Gonzales, La. based band, “Kenny Cornett and Killin’ Time,” who perform a variety of music including swamp pop, country and rock and roll.
“I am very excited about the upcoming ball! I think it will be a great way for the Italian Festival Board, and me, to celebrate the success of the festival with the community of Tickfaw as well as family and friends,” said Daniels. “The Italian Festival Ball will be a fun opportunity to learn more about our festival. I encourage all students to come join me on Feb. 16 for this special night.”