Italian Festival 2013 drew approximately 20,000 people to the annual celebration at Michael J. Tully Park in New Hyde Park last week, according to Sons of Italy Cellini Lodge President Vincent Illuzzi.
Cool, temperate weather arrived in time for the opening two days of the festival, which has been held continually for more than 20 years.
“We’ve been very lucky,” said Alfonso Squillante, 1st vice president of New Hyde Park-based Sons of Italy Cellini Lodge 2206.
Cellini Lodge members have been praying particularly hard for good weather since the fair was shortened by two days two years ago when Tropical Storm Irene blew through the area.
Squillante estimated that attendance topped 1,000 people for the festival opening on April 14, the best crowd the opening has drawn in several years. He said opening attendance during the first two days was an indicator for the festival to draw well.
“This could be a banner year,” said Squillante, chairperson for this year’s fair.
The biggest line for food on Thursday night was clearly the one for zeppoles. But fair-goers crowded tables where they also ate assorted pasta dishes and Italian pastries.
Head Over Heels, the band featured on Thursday night, cranked out vibrant versions of Motown R&B hits, including “My Girl” and “Natural Woman”.
“Bellisimo,” said one fairgoer dancing to the music.
Kids crowded the rides provided by Blue Sky, including a merry-go-round and a ferris wheel, and the games of skill and chance at the fair’s midway.
The fair is the Cellini Lodge’s biggest annual fundraiser and Squillante said he was pleased that the big turnout would translate into contributions to support the Lodge’s charitable benefactors.
“It supports a lot of charities. It goes for the right causes,” he said.
Proceeds from the festival will help support Cellini Lodge scholarships, the Commission for Social Justice, Cooley’s Anemia, Alzheimer research, the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism, the Marty Lyons Foundation, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, the Gift of Sight program OSIA, Italian Language and Culture and Italic studies.
More than 200 members of the Cellini Lodge volunteer to man the booths at the fair, which draws from the immediate area and nearby communities.
“We’re having a great time. This is our third festival this summer,” said Garden City resident Stephen Clyne, who was with his wife and their six-year-old twins. “This is the best one so far.”
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
