Annual Italian Festival Breaks Records
Submitted by Angelo Ucciferri
The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Chapter of UNICO, in collaboration with St. Bartholomew’s Church and St. Bartholomew’s Academy, commemorated their 49th annual Italian Festival during Labor Day weekend, September 1st to 4th. Benefitting from the beautiful summer weather, the event witnessed a record-breaking number of attendees from Scotch Plains, Fanwood, and neighboring communities. Since its inception in 1974, this festival has established itself as a cherished local tradition, offering a wide array of food, amusements, games, and live musical performances.
Beyond the festival excitement, the event is a major fundraiser for both UNICO and St. Bartholomew’s Church and Academy and the proceeds generated will support their service endeavors including local scholarships and community initiatives. The highlight of the fundraising activities was the highly anticipated Super 50/50 raffle, which amassed a staggering sum of over $71,000 – the largest amount in festival history. The coveted 1st place in the raffle was secured by Scotch Plains resident Lila Maxwell.
Reflecting on her win, Lila, a member of the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad Auxiliary, shared her thoughts, “Winning the Super 50/50 raffle was an extraordinary experience. After I received the winning phone call, I was humbled and amazed by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who loves each of us individually and provides for our needs. I volunteered as a member of the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad Auxiliary at the Italian Festival this year and purchased the winning ticket that night. It was a double blessing to serve the community that night and win the Super 50/50!”.
This year’s festival also marked a significant moment for Paul Raphael, a long-standing member of Scotch Plains-Fanwood UNICO and former chapter President, who has dedicated 17 years to serving as the Festival Chairman and will be stepping down from the role moving forward.
Paul expressed his sentiments on this occasion, stating, “I’m truly privileged to have collaborated with a remarkable team that, throughout the year, dedicatedly paved the way for this event. Blessed with favorable weather, the heartwarming generosity of our sponsors, the tireless efforts of our volunteers, and record crowds, we’ve orchestrated an event that not only brought our community together, but also embodies UNICO’s foundational values of neighborliness and charity.”
UNICO, along with St. Bartholomew’s Church and Academy, extend their heartfelt gratitude to all festival attendees, vendors, volunteers, and service providers, including local law enforcement and emergency services, for their invaluable contributions to making this community event a resounding success and an unforgettable experience for all.
UNICO is the largest Italian-American service organization in the USA, and the Scotch Plains Fanwood chapter is celebrating its 50th year. To learn more about becoming a UNICO member or obtain additional information on UNICO events, please visit their official website at unicospf.org or email them at spfunico@gmail.com.
