Community Corner
St. Bart’s Gears Up for 35th Annual Italian Festival
The cultural celebration and fundraiser will be held over Labor Day weekend.
The last of the summer street fairs is upon us as Scotch Plains residents and parishioners ramp up for St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church’s annual Italian Festival, which will be held Friday through Monday of Labor Day weekend in St. Bart’s parking lot.
The cultural celebration will feature live music by local bands every night, 50/50 raffles, amusement park rides, boardwalk-style tossing and water games, and favorite Italian foods, including sausage subs, pizza, calzones, and zeppoles.
St. Bart’s will hold a special Sunday mass at 5 p.m. in Italian, followed by their traditional St. Nicholas Procession. The parade will begin at the church, continue around the festival grounds, and end at the festival’s outdoor stage. St. Nicholas, or San Nicola di Bari, was the patron saint of the town of Montazzoli, Italy, where the founders of St. Bart’s Church emigrated from.
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“This is the 35th year we’re holding the festival,” said Kathy Van Natta, games committee member and St. Bart parishioner. “We’ve always had it on Labor Day weekend, and we always have a great turnout. It’s a big event. Thousands of people attend."
Van Natta noted that the women of the town used to make the food for the event, but that they now have vendors supply it because of the large turn-out.
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"It’s a good cause, and it’s really a lot of fun," she said. "It’s great for families. Kids love it, and they see all their friends before school. The whole community comes out.”
The event is hosted by St. Bartholomew Church, St. Bartholomew Academy, and the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Chapter of UNICO, all of which will benefit from the festival’s donations and fundraising efforts.
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St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church's 35th Annual Italian Festival
2032 Westfield Avenue, Scotch Plains
Friday, September 4, through Monday, September 7, 2009
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily
The festival takes place in the Church parking lot.
To purchase raffle tickets, please contact St. Bartholomew’s Rectory at (908) 322-5192.
