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In a tradition as old as the JCCIA, every year the Columbus Day Queen Pageant is held to select a new reigning young woman.
2026 Columbus Day Queen Pageant
July 29, 2026
Des Plaines Theatre
1476 Miner St., Des Plaines, IL
6pm
Columbus Day Queen Pageant Eligibility Requirements:
- Contestants must be between the ages of 17-26
- Contestants must be 17 years old by the Columbus Day Parade on October 12th
- Must be single and have never married
- Must reside in the Chicagoland area
- Must prove Italian descent
- Must attend Columbus Day Weekend Events
2026 Queen Pageant
The 2026 Columbus Day Queen Pageant was held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at the Des Plaines Theatre.
Gabriella Gariti was crowned as the 2026 Columbus Day Queen and Enrica Uhlen was chosen as the Columbus Day Queen Runner-up. The 2026 Columbus Day Queen’s Court is: Anna Andriano, Annabella Angarone, Robyn Brenizer, Anna Buescher, Isabella Burke, Teresa Campobasso, Victoria Cianci, Maya Miceli, Anna Muellner, Mia Pasco, Sienna Passo, Alexa Paterniti, Stephanie Pecoraro, Giada Roti, Gabriella Greco-Scott.
2026 Columbus Day Queen
Gabriella Gariti
On Wednesday, July 29, 2026 the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans crowned the 2026 Columbus Day Queen, Gabriella Gariti!
Gabriella Gariti is a proud Italian American whose Sicilian heritage has shaped her values of family, perseverance, and service. A graduate of St. Francis High School and The University of Arizona, she now serves as a Property Manager at Gariti Properties while remaining actively involved in her community through organizations such as Feed My Starving Children, the Northern Illinois Food Bank, and her local parish. Fluent in English and studying Italian with the goal of earning her CILS certification, Gabriella is deeply committed to preserving her family’s language and traditions for future generations.
Gabriella draws daily inspiration from her family’s story of sacrifice, resilience, and hard work. She is helping create a family cookbook preserving her Nonna’s treasured recipes and is passionate about safeguarding both the Italian language and the Sicilian dialect. Through her leadership, community involvement, and dedication to her heritage, Gabriella plans to use her platform as Columbus Day Queen to inspire other young Italian Americans to embrace their roots with pride while honoring the legacy of those who came before them.
Columbus Day
Queen Pageant
Application
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