TULIP QUEEN FINALISTS WITH PICS HERE

From a group of about 100 nominations, the field for this year's Tulip Queen is now down to five finalists. Names and bios are after the jump.

There's something delightfully retro about the Tulip Queen. The semi-finalists are picked by a panel of judges that includes former Tulip Court members. The finalists are then chosen based on their interaction at the annual Tulip Tea (that's right, it's a competitive tea party) and "their community service and leadership skills as well as their knowledge of Albany."

We remember going to a real estate open house years ago at which the seller's daughter had been the Tulip Queen. They had a framed display in their hallway commemorating her selection. You could tell how proud they were. It was great.

This year's Tulip Queen will be crowned May 12 at the Washington Park Lakehouse during the Tulip Festival. She and the other members of the court will work on education and literacy initiatives during their year reign.