ARIZONA Rose Lucy Artt was in West Belfast this week preparing for the regional finals of the Rose of Tralee International Festival. As we reported in March, the Belfast-born beauty, who was crowned with the dual title of 2012 Arizona Colleen and Arizona Rose, was chosen to lead the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Phoenix.

Now the 23-year-old, whose family moved to the US when she was a child, is hoping to make her mark at the 53rd Annual Rose of Tralee International Festival regional finals in Portlaoise this weekend.

Lucy, who’s being accompanied on her trip by Ann Niemann, the Editor of Arizona’s Irish newspaper The Desert Shamrock, stopped by the Andersonstown News’ Teach Basil office for a chat.

“I’m here for two weeks and will be taking part in the regional finals of the Rose of Tralee,” she said.  “I will also be spending time with family in Belfast, Enniskillen and Downpatrick.”

Speaking about her role as Queen of the March on St Patrick’s Day, Lucy says she is hoping to put the icing on the cake with a trip to Tralee for the finals in August.

“St Patrick’s Day in Phoenix was so much fun and I’m really looking forward to spending time in Ireland,” she said.

“I come here a lot, at least every two years, but this time it should be very exciting, even more so if I can make in to Tralee later in the summer.”

Lucy is one of 13 hopefuls from the US taking part in the contest’s regional finals this weekend. Best of luck Lucy!