Newly crowned Miss USA Olivia Culpo, of Cranston, is expected to participate in this year's Bristol Fourth of July Parade, according to parade chairman Ray Lavey, the Providence Journal reported.

"Because she is from Rhode Island we thought it would be fitting to honor her in the parade," Lavey said. "We are really honored to have her. I think she's a good representation of an intelligent woman from Rhode Island."

Culpo is expected to ride at the front of the procession in a blue Ford Mustang Cobra. Lavey arranged the appearance through the Miss Universe Organization, which requested that she sit in an American-made car, he said.

Olivia Culpo, a 19-year-old Cranston native, is an honor student at Boston University, accomplished cellist and is now one of the country's top beauty queens after she was named Miss USA.