The Tulip Queen serves as Albany's Ambassador for one full year of reign. She and her court will spend that year involved in volunteer projects, including the Mayor Jerry Jennings' Literacy Campaign, which strives to promote the value of reading to children. The Tulip Queen and Court have teamed up with the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region to create a trust fund for future Tulip Queens and Courts to award grants to local literacy organizations. Each Queen and Court develops initiatives to further their goals and attends numerous events throughout the year focusing on education and community awareness.
The nominees attend a series of interviews and finalists are announced in early May. The Queen is crowned in an elaborate coronation ceremony on Tulip Festival Saturday. She will receive a $5,000 scholarship, and each Court member $1,500. The 64th Annual Albany Tulip Festival will be held on May 12 & 13, 2012.
