On August 27th, seven Queen of the Bay delegates, accompanied by reigning Queen Samantha Ramirez, visited San Pedro for the first time in nearly 20 years ahead of the 81st annual Queen of the Bay Pageant, set for August 29th. During their island visit, the group met with Senator Gabriel Zetina over coffee, toured the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and enjoyed lunch and recreational activities at The Water Park at Secret Beach.
The visit began at The Farmhouse inside Mahogany Bay Village, where the delegates gathered for an informal meet-and-greet before sitting down for coffee with Senator Zetina. From there, they traveled to Hol Chan Marine Reserve for a guided tour, then concluded their visit with lunch and recreation at Secret Beach. Local sponsors supporting the delegation’s San Pedro activities included Time Out Golf Cart Rental, Senator Gabriel Zetina, The Water Park at Secret Beach, Coleman’s Barber Shop, Xsite Belize Sailing & Adventure, and Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
The seven delegates represent different communities across Belize. They are Miss Belmopan Rhea Henry, Miss San Pedro Zsapphirrah Coleman, Miss San Ignacio/Santa Elena Crissy Avilez, Miss Corozal Xioleni Ruiz, Miss Stann Creek Central D’andra Mejia, Miss Toledo Emily Castro, and Miss Belize City Raheema Hafiya. Reigning Queen of the Bay Samantha Ramirez accompanied them. Their visit marked the pageant’s return to San Pedro after nearly two decades.
Senator Zetina reflected on the opportunity to meet the delegates and learn more about them. “It was definitely a unique experience, a great experience. I liked getting to know every one of them, learning the way they think and the way they express themselves,” he said. “They are great human beings, all winners in my eyes. Queen of the Bay is one of the most prestigious pageants here in Belize, and I learned, too, that it’s the first time in about 20 years they have come to San Pedro. So, to be part of that, it’s a great experience.”
Organizers said the San Pedro visit aimed to increase local engagement and promote tourism ahead of the pageant. The delegates’ public appearances and activities also provided an opportunity to generate greater community interest ahead of the August 29th finale in Belize City.