Boss Queen Vickie Lynch

Boss Queen Vickie Lynch

MEMPHIS BLUES QUEENS

Profile

I am Vickie Lynch, Boss Queen of the Memphis Blues Queens, a local chapter of the Sweet Potato Queens.
I am just a regular woman with two grown children and grandmother of one. I have a wonderful relationship with a man whom I adore. And I have had more fun in the last three years and made some of the closest friends than I have had in a lifetime!

It was only a few years ago when I read Jill’s first book, Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love, that immediately I felt I had to go to Jackson, Mississippi to see this parade that she described and learn what this was truly all about.

Observing the parade from the sidelines, all I could say was WOW!! I was amazed, not only with The Sweet Potato Queens dancing on their float with Lance Romance, but also with Queens from all across the country wearing wild, crazy costumes in every color and design, and wigs not only in black and blonde, but also pink, lime green and orange. And they were all having a grand time throwing beads to the large lively crowd and strutting their stuff down State Street and then onto Capitol.

I learned 3 things that day:
     1.     You simply must see it to believe it!
     2.     I wanted to be in that parade!
     3.     Most important, I knew I had to be a Queen!

I don’t know why – but for some of us who are over 40, we needed someone to tell us it was okay to dress up, put on a wig (or 2) and place a tiara on our heads. Ever since I did, I haven’t been the same. (My mother and my sister can attest to that.) I discovered by doing so, it gave me some “REAL ATTITUDE”, made me feel good about myself, and it put a smile on my face as well as the faces of people I met. Thank you, Jill, for giving us the okay.

I went back to Memphis and went on the Sweet Potato Queens' website to find chapters in the Memphis area who were interested in the same things that I expected in a group like that. Did they have monthly meetings? Did they march in the parade? Did they wear crazy costumes and wigs? Were they as much fun as they seemed in be in the parade?

I sent emails to all the chapters in Memphis (about 6 at that time) and received a few responses. But the most interesting was the one that I received from the Boss Queen of the Margarita Queens. They met at El Porton Restaurant on most Friday evenings after work because they LOVE Margaritas. So a friend and I put on our tiaras and feather boas and went to meet these women.
We all fell in love with each other at first site!

These were women who were fun and loved margaritas and especially enjoyed each others company and having a good time. So they allowed us to join the Margarita Queens and in the year 2002, I marched in the Parade in Jackson, Mississippi with them. It was great! Everything that I expected and more.

I was unaware (until my association with these ladies) about all the other events that take place during that weekend – Luncheon with Jill Connor Browne and all the Sweet Potato Queens including Lance Romance on Friday before the parade. Then there was a huge Ball (informal) at Hal’s & Mal’s on Friday evening. After that, back at the hotel, was an event called MoonGlow with more food, drinking music and dancing. The parade was on Saturday at 1 PM followed by a huge street party at Hal’s & Mal’s. Then later that evening at the hotel was an event called “PJs & Pearls” which is just what its called....

All the queenly chapters dress alike in pjs and pearls and there is more partying to the hilt. It all winds up with Jill speaking (dressed in normal attire) at the Brunch on Sunday morning which is my favorite part. She gave a very motivational speech and is as fantastic in person as she is in her books.

Not long after the parade in Jackson, the Margarita Queens decided to call it quits. So I was in a pickle – since I had just started this experience and I HAD TO BE A QUEEN. So I started my own group of Queens.

I organized my own chapter – the Memphis Blues Queens. And we are having the time of our lives! Most of the Margarita Queens joined my chapter. We currently have 13 Queens in our chapter. We participate in the parade in Jackson (also known as the Million Queen March) as well as local charity events and parades.

We wanted to wear our costumes more than once a year in Jackson, Mississippi, and we love to dance. That is why we perform at charity events and in parades. Recently I read in one of Oprah’s magazines and article that she wrote --- “What I know for sure is that every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes and step out and dance -- to live free of regret and filled with as much joy, fun and laughter as you can stand.” The Memphis Blues Queens have made the choice to do just that -- DANCE – not to let life pass us by -- but live it to the fullest! And we are having a GRAND time doing just that!

Like Jill, we feel that every woman (especially those 40 plus) deserve and have earned a tiara! And we highly encourage all women to own one and wear it whenever possible!

You too can declare yourself a queen and join a chapter or coordinate your own chapter, then indulge in all the fun, friendship and celebration of life! So you don’t have to win a beauty contest to wear a tiara and you don’t have to wait to get the party started. You can appoint yourself QUEEN and start your own party!

Boss Queen Vickie

It's official. Vickie Lynch is a Grandmother, otherwise known as Queeny! Baby Brilee Shayne Lynch arrived Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 3:42 PM - 19 inches long and weighing 6 pounds. SHE IS PERFECT and BEAUTIFUL! Proud Mom and Dad are doing great! There will be many more photos so she is already adjusting to the flash of the camera.