Litle and Loftus wear the crowns

Casey Ruth Little and Charlotte Loftus are named Miss Fourth of July and Little Miss Fourth of July

BY PAIGE SHAPIRO

What seemed like the whole town of Bristol lined the west side of Mt. Hope High School, eagerly awaiting the signal that they could continue their anticipatory trek onwards into the auditorium in search of their seats. And when that signal was given –– a cool wave from show-runner Nat Squatrito –– the bustling procession didn’t hesitate to stream into the building to finally witness the crowning of this year’s Miss and Little Miss Fourth of July.

The number of families, friends, teachers, and neighbors who filled the tremendous room prove just how esteemed the royal court of Bristol’s Fourth of July is. Warm and jubilant, the audience of shared their buzzing excitement amid laughter and tidbits of conversation. Some greeted familiar faces from across the mass of chairs, happy to see the other at this treasured event –– the work of a tight-knit seaside community in action.

But after the pleasantries were done, the audience quieted, enraptured by the night ahead of them. The ceremony marked the 75th Miss and Little Miss Fourth of July Pageant, an event that show organizers Patty and Nat Squatrito have been involved with for more than 20 years.

“No one does it better,” confided Mary Lou Palumbo, the pageant’s Mistress of Ceremonies. “It’s always, always so much fun.”

“It’s a year-long process for the most part,” admitted Nat. “There’s a lot of moving parts that have to fit in perfectly. All it takes is one thing to go wrong and the whole pageant would come to a screeching halt.”

But the couple confessed that after decades of involvement, they have it down to a science. “I mean, we talk about this 24/7,” Nat continued, chuckling. “We’ll sit down to Thanksgiving Dinner talking about the pageant.”

The pageant warrants a board of commissioners all on its own, each of them individual pieces of what Patty calls a 500-piece puzzle. “That puzzle all comes together on the night of the pageant.”

Pieces that are arguably even more crucial to that puzzle, though, are the contestants –– 15 younger girls (age 7 to 9) and 11 older girls (age 16 to 20) who applied to compete back in March. After much blood, sweat, and rehearsals, the girls take to the stage to –– cordially –– battle it out until the end. Punctuated by performances by Danceworks and members of the Mt. Hope High School Vocal Ensemble, the pageant marks a regal start to Bristol’s famed patriotic season.

The winners are …

This year’s Little Miss and Miss Fourth of July, announced with bated breaths, are Charlotte Loftus and Casey Ruth Little. Loftus, a fourth-grader at Rockwell School, dreams of becoming a marine biologist, zookeeper, or mad scientist when she grows up. When asked what famous person she would love to have lunch with, she answered easily: Selena Gomez, whose mes- sage of self-love she looks up to. Little, a senior at Mt. Hope High School, plans to attend Berklee College of Music in the fall and hopes to one day sell out Madison Square Garden as a performer. When asked how social media might negatively affect young adults, Little replied that despite the harm in comparing yourself to others you see online, you must practice kindness towards your - self. “It has helped me connect with others,” she concluded. Their courts consist of runnerups –– for Little Miss Fourth of July, Bryn Correia and Avery Hicks; and for Miss Fourth of July, Mia Padula, who was also named Miss Congeniality, Sophia Ferolito, Beilah Teixeira, and Skyla Silvia.

Cajoled by congratulatory cheers and whoops, the winners descended the stage to receive their new title.

Casey Little smiles toward the applause after being named "Miss Fourth of July" in Bristol's 75th annual pageant.

Gwenyth Tucker and Alana Crowell, last year’s Miss and Little Miss Fourth of July, had some words to the wise for this year’s winners. “These are memories I’ll never forget, and treasure forever,” Crowell said before coronating Loftus as this year’s Little Miss Fourth of July. “I hope you enjoy the amazing experience.”

Tucker couldn’t agree more as she, too, crowned Little as the next Miss Fourth of July. “I’m closing out one of the best years of my life,” she professed, noting that this “magical” celebration represents “how lucky we all are to be standing here today.”

On to the festivities … After coronation, pageant win-

2022 ners are as good as famous. With their royal court, they are featured at Bristol’s Fourth of July Parade, Fourth of July Ball, Flag Day Ceremony, the Orange Crate Derby, the Interfaith Service, the concerts at Independence Park, and the Chief Marshal’s Reception with this year’s marshal, Steven Contente, Bristol town administrator, a “passionate advocate” for the town.

“They’re all winners,” said Patty Squatrito, with a smile. “Every year, I always tell the girls: If you don’t know somebody, make a new friend. Help each other. Be kind to one another. Because the most important thing of all is enjoying the experience.”

But Crowell, the succeeded Little Miss, said it best. “I had the best year and the most incredible experience,” she stated. “It has built my confidence and has taught me that no matter what you look like, you are beautiful.”

LITTLE

2002 Laura Beth Almeida

2003 Courtney Glavin

2009 Jennae Paul

2010 Kayla Nerone

2011 Cassandra Guercia

2012 Alexandra Absi

2013 Daniela Lopes

2014 Carla Braga

2015 Jessica Tella

2016 Samantha Golden 2017 Olivia Borgia 2018 Jade Ramos

2019 Jillian Fitting

2021 Victoria Travassos 2022 Gwenyth Tucker 2023 Casey Little