With a Ferris Wheel and Funnel Cake, St. Bart's Italian Feast Marks the End of Another Summer

As the long days of summer fade from Scotch Plains and Fanwood, St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church is once again illuminating the carnival lights and warming the deep fryers. The church's annual "Italian Feast" returns this weekend, and with it, a festival that now marks the end of summer and the start of classes for township and borough residents. 

The festival opened Friday, Sept. 3 at 4:30 p.m. with live music from Rewind, a Scotch Plains-based rock-and-roll cover band. The carnival continues through Monday, and features rides, live music and entertainment, games, 50/50 raffles and other amusements, according to a press release distributed by the church. The festival will remain open until 10:30 p.m. each night, and it will conclude with a "Super 50/50" raffle Monday evening, according to the release.  

On Saturday at 5:00 p.m., St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church will celebrate its traditional Mass in Italian, honoring the Patron Saint of Montazzoli, Italy: San Nicola di Bari. Following the Mass, the Metropolitan Festival Band, led by Mike Aromando, will lead the San Nicola procession from the church through the feast grounds.

St. Bartholomew parish and Autism Family Tours with Brianna, a Fanwood-based nonprofit, have coordinated a dedicated time for children with autism and other disabilities along with their families to enjoy the rides at the feast without the challenges of crowds and loud noises, the release stated. On Sunday, the feast will open from 2:30 to 4:30 to accommodate children with special needs.

"These families are welcome to attend the feast anytime they wish, but for many it can be overwhelming," Father John Paladino, the church's pastor, said in the release. "This time offers family fun, without them having to worry about other challenges." 

Families must contact Autism Family Tours with Brianna to receive wristbands to participate in this free event. Families can register by calling 908-889-8860 or by sending an email to contact@autismfamilytours.org. Autism Family Tours' Peer Mentors will be available to pair with children on rides. The feast grounds are handicap accessible.

Saturday evening's musicians, The VooDudes, have performed at numerous festivals, according to the release, including The Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival, Philadelphia's "Jambalaya Jam," New York's "Benson & Hedges Blues Festival" and Ft. Lauderdale's "Crazy Crawfish Fest." The band's music is a mix of Tex-Mex, country blues, honky-tonk, Texas swing, New Orleans R&B, and southern folk.

On Sunday evening, the feast features live music from the band, The Broadcasters.  Their repertoire includes hits by The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Aerosmith, The Who, U2, Elton John and Billy Joel.

The last day of the feast presents Bobby Valli, brother of Frankie Valli of The Four Seasons, according to the release. Bobby Valli's band will perform a "Tribute to the Jersey Boys." He was a part of Classics Four (IV), and he also performed with The Duprees, Joey Dee and the Starliters and Larry Chance.

The St. Bartholomew Italian Feast is held as a collaboration of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church, St. Bartholomew Academy and Scotch Plains-Fanwood UNICO. All proceeds from the festival benefit the three organizations, the release stated. For more information on the church, visit www.bartholomewchurch.org. To learn more about Scotch Plains-Fanwood UNICO, visit www.spfunico.org.