The annual Atlantic City Armed Forces Parade was set aglow last night with another great performance by the fabulous ladies of the MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT organization. The recent heat wave saw unprecedented crowds of locals and vacationers who flocked to New Jersey's popular resort city. It seems that despite the heat, people lined the boardwalk for miles to honor, watch and enjoy the parade.
QUEEN Diane De Luca, MS NEW JERSEY SENIOR AMERICA 2016, sat casually onboard the float before the parade. But when the parade began, she sprung into action, singing, smiling, waving and throwing kisses to the enthusiastic crowd.
In the top tier, QUEEN Diane was flanked on each side by Johanne Santori/MSNJSA2006, ADMINISTRATOR & STATE PAGEANT DIRECTOR and most recent QUEEN, Rebecca Orsatti/MSNJSA2010.
Each year the ladies take their traditional photos before the parade. They all wore the traditional patriotic colors of red, white and blue to honor our country's vets.
Here is another pre-parade photo, with everyone settled onboard the lovely float which is decked out in royal colors of purple and gold, in front of the mega-casino Revel. Its silvery facade and curving arches make a beautiful background setting. Standing in the foreground are Josephine Araniti/MSNJSA2007, and Director of the Pageant organization's GRANDE DAMES CHORUS, and Diane Beebe/MSNJSA2014, who prepared the music and ran the sound system. On the first tier, in the stunning blue sequined gown, is Carole Lelli/President of the NEW JERSEY CAMEO CLUB. Lastly, at the top tier is our leader again, Johanne Santori. Thanks to these women who made last night's successful performance possible.
With formalities behind, the parade and show began, and the ladies showed their "stuff". QUEEN Diane sang the solo to "Tie a Yellow Ribbon", and the ladies joined in on the chorus. There was the traditional "5 Song Armed Forces Salute", and ended with "This Is My Counrty/God Bless America" medley. In between, were other medleys of tunes from some of Broadway's longest running shows, and a musical salute to Diana Ross. This year, the float stayed longer at the viewing stand, and the ladies gave a mini concert for the dignitaries and the crowd of spectators. Their performance was great, and kudos to a job well done!
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