1

Mercer CountyMercer CountyMercer County

ItalianItalianItalian---American FestivalAmerican FestivalAmerican Festival

Volume 5 - No. 8 March 2015

Scenes from December 2014 VolunteerParty

For more party photos, plus scholarship presentations, see page 5.

Special Announcement

to Italian Organizations

See page 6 for details

MCIAFA Genealogy

Presenter Receives Award

See page 3

2

2

Italian-American Festival Newsletter March 2015

Cavalier John Scarpati

President

Cav. John Scarpati,

MCIAFA President

Ryan’s Quest Is

Recipient of MCIAFA

Donation

At a recent MCIAFA meeting, David

Schultz of Ryan’s Quest, (at left) is

presented with a donation by Cav.

John Scarpati. Ryan’s Quest is one of

the many charitable organizations

which the Mercer County Italian-

American Festival Association has

been assisting since its inception.

3

Italian-American Festival Newsletter March 2015

Free Associate Membership & Volunteer Form Date___________________________________

Come join one of the largest and fasting growing Associations in Mercer County!

Membership is FREE and you will be put on our mailing list automatically. We just ask that you help promote our heritage and events.

If you would like to be activve, here are some of the activities you may want to participate in:

Please check box/boxes if interested:

Office Work Help with On-Site Operations at Festival Join a Committee

Help at Monthly Dinners Help at Other Events at MCIAF Center Vendor

50/50 On-site sales Columbus Day Parade Maintenance Help at MCIAF Center

Name:______________________________________ Address:___________________________________________

Occupation:_________________________________City:__________________State:_______Zip:_____________

Telephone: (home)_______________(work)_______________ (cell)_____________E-mail ___________________

FOR FOR MORE INFORMATION, WRITE OR CALL: Cav. John Scarpati, President

Mercer County Italian American Assoc., 2421 Liberty St. Hamilton, N.J. 08629 – phone 609-631-7544.

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Italian-American Heritage and Culture

Donations are tax deductible and are appreciated.

Website: www.italianamericanfestival.com email: buongiorno2000@optonline.net

Mercer County Italian-American Festival Association

If you would like to be active, here are some of the activities you may want to participate in:

3

3

Mercer County Italian-American Festival Association

Italian Genealogy Presenter

Receives Knights of Columbus Award

Bll Giovannetti, guest lecturer on Italian genealogy at the Mercer County Italian American Festival Association (photo at left), was recently awarded the Knights of Columbus Council's Lifetime Achievement Award

(pictured at right). As an expert on Italian genealogy, Mr. Giovannetti was a guest presenter at one of the

MCIAFA monthly meetings.

4

4

Board Members and Office Assistance: Cav. John Scarpati Sr., President Frank Cirillo, Vice President Daniele Scarpati, Trustee Ed DiPolvere, Trustee Joe DiPaolo, Trustee Thomas Frascella, Trustee

Joe Urbano, Trustee Sally Van Fleet, Trustee and Admin. Asst. Nina VanDeleur, Trustee and Admin. Asst. Treasurer: Danielle Scarpati

Committee Chairs: Accounting/Admin Treasurer: Danielle Scarpati Admissions: Marilyn Hope, Chair; Bob Hope, Co-Chair Amusement Rides: Frank Cirillo, Chair; Joe Urbano,

Co-Chair Artwork: Bill Plank Attorneys: Thomas Frascella, Paul Donini Auditors: Pesauro, Levy & Palumbo PA Beer: Christine Scarpati, Chair; James Dabronzo, Co-Chair Bingo: Ken Rhodes, Chair; Dennis Bush, Co-Chair Bocce: Vito DePalo, Chair; Jonah Pascucci Building Maintenance: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Chair; John

Devlin, Lou Dorio Computer Tech: Richard Tuscano Jr. Cultural Court/Market Tent: John Prunetti, Chair; Jeff Prunetti, Co-Chair Cultural Programs: Cav. Gilda R. Baldassari, Chair; Marie Jantos, Cathy DiCostanzo, Co-Chairs Entertainment: Carl Carabelli, Chair; Ann Lennon, Co-Chair; Nina VanDeLeur, Asst. Co-Chair; Al Hutchins, MC Facebook: Barry Chiorello

Festival 50/50: Gino Melone, Chair; Marion Bolton, Karen Coate, Co-Chairs; Donna Povia, Rita Capone, Mgrs. Festival Layout Plans: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Ted Caruso, Bill Plank, Vic Russo Festival Photographers: Paul Donini, Bill Plank

Festival Signs: Ed DiPolvere, Chair; John Devlin, Lou Dorio, Co-Chairs Fireworks: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Chair

Food Vendors: Joe DiPaolo, Chair; Joan Burkholtz, Admin. Asst.; Rocco Riccio, Dave Tallone

Grounds Maintenance - Portable Lighting, Hauling, Restrooms, Cleanup,Trash & Waste Mgmt.: John Scarpati Jr., Chair; Herman Ramos, Co-Chair Honorary Festival Consultant: Anthony Massi Information Tent: Sally Van Fleet, Chair; Frieda Santillo, Co-Chair

Mass: Msgr. Innocenzi; Cathy DiCostanzo, Chair; Joe Pica, Ben Gioe, Co-Chairs; Anthony Chianese, George Dougherty, Procession/Music Memorabilia: Anthony Chianese, Chair; Sam Naro, Co-Chair Merchandising – In-House: TBA Military & Veterans/Special Events: Kathi Adie, Chair; John Adie, Co-Chair Military Medal of Honor: Dennis Bush, Chair

Off Site 50/50 Business Sales: Gino Melone, Chair; Joe Sensi, Co-Chair Parking: Wayne DeAngelo, Chair; Joe Povio, Co-Chair Petting Zoo: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Chair

Italian-American Festival Newsletter March 2015

Photographers - In-House: Nina VanDeleur, Bill Plank, Barry Chiorello Pony Rides: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Chair Puppet Show: Carl Carabelli, Chair

Security: Joe Russo, Chair; John Devlin, Co-Chair: Jeff Zimmer, Lou Dorio Site Operations: Danielle Scarpati, Chair; Melissa Scarpati, Co-Chair Sponsorship & Marketing: Barry Chiorello, Chair Tables, Tents & Chairs: Cav. John Scarpati Sr., Chair Website Design: Mike Aregano; Sally Van Fleet, Nina Van DeLeur, Barry Chiorello, Editors

Wine: Danielle Scarpati, Chair; Christine Scarpati, Co-Chair

Columbus Day Parade/Ball Committee: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., President; Frank Bruno, Chair; Gino Melone, MC; Pat Colavita, MC Backup; Thomas Frascella, Treasurer, Pat Bruno, Office Assistant

Newsletter Staff: Cav. John Scarpati, Sr., Managing Editor Helene Plank, Graphic Designer Bill Plank, Copy Editor

Sally Van Fleet, Assistant Copy Editor Printed by Hermitage Press, Inc., Trenton, NJ

General Contacts: E-mail: buongiorno2000@optonline.net

Website: www.italianamericanfestival.com

Office Mail: MCIAFA, 2421 Liberty St.,

Hamilton, NJ 08629 Phone: 609-631-7544; Fax: 609-631-9116

MCIAFA Merchandise

is still on sale

at the Heritage Center

Please call us at

609-631-7544

or e-mail us at

buongiorno2000@optonline.net

to see what bargains you can get

on items to celebrate

your Italian heritage!

5

5

Italian-American Festival Newsletter March 2015

Highlights from December

2014 Volunteer Party

Cav. John Scarpati presented donations

(at right) to Cathi DiCostanzo (Sunshine

Foundation), ______ _____ (Boys’ and

Girls’ Town of Italy), and Bob Hope

(Knights of Columbus). Also, at botton

right, Trustee/Member Sally Van Fleet

helps to serve up another delicious buf-

fet for the December event.

6

6

NOTICE:

ITALIAN

ORGANIZATIONS We would like to invite your organiza-

tion to come to our Festival this year and

find out what we are all about. The Mer-cer County Italian-American Festival has

been rated a must-see event and one of the best in New Jersey. It is a great

family event, and there is something for everyone of all ages. We have con-tinual live entertainment shown all three days, plus fireworks, amusement

rides, many food and clothing vendors, and an Italian Market Tent. Our cul-

tural court has various vendors, Italian heritage memorabilia, religious statues and a huge replica of the beautiful Trevi Fountain. It also features cultural

programs where we will be giving cooking demonstrations. On Sunday

morning, we hold an 11:00 a.m. mass, followed by a beautiful Procession of the Madonna.

We are busy planning this year's events and hope you will bring your fam-

ily and friends. The dates for this year's festival is September 25th, 26th and

27th.

I know after seeing what we are all about, it will become an event you'll

want to attend every year. I invite you to visit our website —www.italianamericanfestival.com — to see photos of our previ-

ous festivals. Should you have any questions, please call us at 609-631-

7544. We hope to see you there!

Italian-American Festival Newsletter March 2015

7

Italian-American Festival Newsletter March 2015

7

8

Mercer County Italian-American Festival

Association

Italian-American Heritage Center

2421 Liberty Street

Hamilton, NJ 08629

Quarterly MCIAFA Newsletter Publication

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Trenton, NJ

Permit No. 312