We are now three weeks away from the annual Romeo Peach Festival, so let's continue celebrating the Peach Queens of the past!
Today, we'll talk about Pamela Perfili - one of the 1970s Peach Queens and who was present in an important time in American history. In 1974, the 21-year-old from Roseville was crowned with that title. The July 18, 1974 issue of The Romeo Observer noted many things about her. These included having an associate degree from Macomb College (now Macomb Community College); a bachelor's degree in psychology from Oakland University (OU); her work as a model and manager of Rio Enterprises, Inc.,; how she's studying for her master's degree from OU in business management; her GPA, her looks (green eyes and brown hair); her height (five feet, five inches tall); and her waist measurements.
In addition, at the time of 1974 Peach Queen contest, Pamela held multiple titles. They were Miss Roseville, Miss Macomb Mall, Miss Rose Festival, and Miss Columbus Day. Most impressive was that she was among the top ten for the Miss Michigan contest in 1973.
For those wondering what she did during the talent portion, Pamela performed with the accordian, an instrument that she had played for six years at that point.
In other words, judges were so impressed with Pamela's beauty, educational background, pagentry credentials, and talent that they gave her the Peach Queen title.
Like the other Peach Queens before her, Pamela carried out her duties to represent local peach harvests and to bring attention to orchards and the Peach Festival. The August 22, 1974 Romeo Observer edition listed her schedule, which included visiting a Detroit Wheels football match, a Tigers game, and the Hazel Park race track. Most importantly, she went to the Washington D.C. to deliver a basketful of peaches to the newly appointed president Gerald R. Ford.
1974 was no doubt a significant year in American history, for that was when previous president Richard Nixon resigned from office, making him the only Commander in Chief to do so. In fact, August 8th marks the 50th anniversary of that announcement. Ford - Nixon's Vice President - was immediately swore in as the 38th U.S. President.
This means that Ford receiving the peaches from the Peach Queen would have been one of his first acts as Commander in Chief. Additionally, he is the first (and only) person from Michigan to have been president. Michigan newspapers like The Romeo Observer and The Macomb Daily published this photo with President Ford, Pamela, and Macomb congressman James O' Hara to celebrate the peach exchange.
Moreover, the Romeo Peach Festival Collection contains documents related to Pamela's visit to Washington D.C. These include a letter written by Congressman O'Hara to Kathy Richardson, the Peach Queen chaperone in 1974; Kathy's visitor pass to the U.S. Representative and Senate chambers; a memorandum of President Ford's meeting with Romanian Presidential Counselor Vasile Pungan; and a note written to Kathy by Ford himself.
What a way to bring attention to the orchards in the Romeo area!
To learn more about Pamela Perfili, other Peach Queens, and the Peach Festival in general, you can locate the Romeo Peach Festival Collection here and/or contact the Romeo Community Archives at rca@romemodistrictlibrary.org to see said collection in person.
Images and sources courtesy of the Romeo Community Archives; Romeo Peach Festival Collection, 1974