EAST CHICAGO | The 28th Annual Puerto Rican Pageant is just around the corner.

On June 27, three young ladies of Puerto Rican descent from the region will be competing for the title of Queen of the Puerto Rican Parade 2009-2010.

The reigning queen will represent the Puerto Rican Parade and Cultural Organization of NWI in various cultural, community events and festivities throughout the year. She will officially become the spokesperson for the community and the organization.

In addition to winning the pageant she will be awarded two $500 scholarships; one from Mayor George Pabey and the City of East Chicago and the other from Boyd construction of Valparaiso. The winner will also have the opportunity to take part in a unique learning experience as she travels to the "Island of Enchantment" for 12 days to participate in the Educational Ambassador Program to Puerto Rico.

"She'll be learning and working at the Department of Tourism, the Governor's Office of Affairs, and the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs," said Maritza Lopez President of the Puerto Rican Parade and Cultural Organization and Pageant Coordinator.

"There are approximately 214,000 Puerto Ricans in the state of Indiana, and the majority reside in Lake County; we take pride in our heritage."

This year's pageant theme is "El Abanico" (The Spanish Hand Fan). The contestants will entertain and educate the audience of the origin of the hand fan, and how elegant women used it to communicate with others, and it's linked to one of Puerto Rico's most famous women -- Felisa Rincón de Gautier known as Doña Fela. "She was known to always carry a fan with her wherever she went," said Lopez.

Doña Fela was the first female Mayor of San Juan Puerto Rico and established the first pre-school centers, which would eventually become the model for the Head Start programs throughout the United States.

The Pageant Gala Event will be held at the Croatian Center in Merrillville on Saturday, June 27 from 5pm-12midnight. Tickets are $60 per person, which includes five hours of open bar, an all-you-can-eat sit down dinner, the pageant, crowning of the queen, entertainment, music and the dancing.

For more information or to become a member of the Puerto Rican Parade and Cultural Organization call: 219-397-1217.