Laurel celebration mixes fun and pageantry

WINSTED — The 77th annual Laurel Festival was held from Friday, June 10, to Sunday, June 12, at various locations throughout town.Madison-Kelly Peltier was crowned Laurel Queen Sunday at East End Park.Madison will graduate from Northwestern Regional High School later this month. She plans to attend Quinnipiac University as an occupational therapy major in the fall.Right after she was crowned, Madison seemed to be overwhelmed with emotion.“It’s awesome to be up here to represent Winsted positively,” she said. “I feel very blessed. I would like to thank all of the girls who were in this pageant with me. They all could not be any nicer.”The first runner-up is Katelyn Bailey, who will graduate from The Gilbert School this month.The second runner-up is Mallory Rotondo, who will also graduate from The Gilbert School this month.Before she handed off her crown, 2010 Laurel Queen Rebecca Nardi reflected on her reign.“A few weeks ago my aunt gave me a sign that said, ‘It’s not easy being queen,’” Nardi said. “And, she was right. This morning I was given a police citation for picking laurels. But, being queen has been one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life. It’s been great touching other people’s lives.”The crowning of the Laurel Queen was the culmination of festival events that started on Friday, June 10, at the Knights of Columbus with a party.At the party, Laurel Queen contestants formally introduced themselves to the public and danced the night away to local DJ Rick Hall.On Saturday, June 11, another party was held at the Crystal Peak banquet facility that included a grand buffet and a cash bar.On Sunday, the festival concluded with the Laurel Parade and Vendors in the Park.The parade included stylish automobiles decked out in laurel and other flowers carrying the 16 Laurel Queen contestants. Marching bands performed and members of town services like the Winchester Fire Department marched.Vendors in the Park, which was held in conjunction with the festival, included more than 20 vendors selling goods in East End Park.Michele Pellegatto is the co-chairman of the event and was a pageant runner-up in the late 1990s.She said the festival is an important tradition for Winsted.“For the Laurel Queen contestants, it’s not about winning, it’s about being in the moment and enjoying it,” Pellegatto said. “It’s about being part of history. It’s amazing every year to see how almost everyone in town participates in one way or another in the festival. This is a great way to unite the town.”As part of the pageant, Madison received a $1,000 scholarship for being named the queen, while Katelyn received an $800 scholarship and Mallory received a $500 scholarship.