The Order Sons of Italy’s annual Italian Feast saw its biggest crowd ever last weekend.
At least 11,500 people attended the festival at Michael J. Tully Park in New Hyde Park from Aug. 26-30, a record for the event, said Alfonso Squillante, president of the Order’s Cellini Lodge. The count not yet final, but the lodge expects it to be at between 1,000 and 1,500 higher than last year’s attendance of 10,500.
The festival featured an international food court, rides, game booths, crafts, vendors and live music. Proceeds from the $1 admission fee go toward the lodge’s costs for the year, while money from game booths is donated to several different charities, including Cooliey’s Anemia Foundation, the American Cancer Society, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Katie’s Run.
Cellini Lodge estimates that the games collected a little more than $4,000 that it will donate to its charity beneficiaries, many of which are based on Long Island. There were also donation tents to benefit Cooliey’s Anemia Foundation specifically, which collected about $400, Squillante said.
The lodge’s main objectives in putting on the event are to give back to New Hyde Park locally, and promote a present a positive image of Italian-Americans. The latter is bolstered by the “Italian Heritage” booth, where people coming to the festival can learn about Italian culture and notable Italian-American figures.
“It’s not all about the Sopranos that you see on television,” Squillante said. “That’s not what Italian Americans are about.”
Zeppoles continued to be one of the festival’s biggest draws. The lodge sold about 10,600 bags of the fried dough balls, Squillante said. Others return every year for the rides and the live music lineup.
“We notice that people simply come in to get their zeppoles and leave,” he said.
Cellini Lodge’s other major annual event is a dinner dance, held each spring to benefit its scholarships for students in 12 area high schools. Squillante said anyone who is interested in the lodge’s mission, not just those of Italian descent, are welcome to join and help with its work.
“If you’re proud of your heritage and proud of what you do, you can join,” he said.
More information about the New Hyde Park Cellini Lodge is available at cellinilodge2206.org.
