The annual Italian Festival hosted by Cellini Lodge of the Order Sons of Italy in America will take place from Wednesday, Aug. 24, to Sunday, Aug. 28, at Michael J. Tully Park in New Hyde Park.
The Order Sons of Italy is a nationwide organization whose main goal is to foster, share and educate others on the Italian culture and customs.
“We host the festival every year as a way to gather funds to give back to the community,’’ said Mark Ventimiglia, Cellini Lodge’s event chairman.
The festival will include music from Italian artists, a fireworks display, carnival rides and games, as well as an international food court.
One of the differences this year is the homemade sangria that will be available at the festival, in addition to the beer and wine usually served, Ventimiglia said.
Another change this year is the inclusion of more Italian musical entertainment, he said.
“A few years ago, people suggested that we have more Italian performers, so this year we will have music from Italian singers on two nights, instead of just one,” Ventimiglia said.
The festival will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, with the fireworks showcase taking place that night, and on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
There is an entrance fee of $1 for adults and children above age 8. The money raised during the festival, which usually has a total of about 20,000 people in attendance each year, will go toward scholarships for graduates of local high schools. Parking will be free.
“We’re Italian, so we have the Italian culture and food, and we’re American, so we have fun in that way,” Ventimiglia said. “It’s the best of both worlds.”
