Italian street festival of fun, faith honors the Assumption
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By David Karas | Correspondent
For the third summer straight, organizers in Epiphany Parish, Brick, are putting together a festival aimed at being as nourishing for foodies as it is for the faithful.
The parish’s annual Italian Festival, featuring everything from music to rides, crafts to a wide selection of food, will take place Aug. 13 through 16 on the church grounds at 615 Thiele Road.
This year’s event, boasting an Italian street festival atmosphere with a range of food and beverages from professional vendors, will include a selection of Italian, American and BBQ food specialties, a beer and wine garden along with amusements, rides, games, crafts and nightly family-oriented entertainment.
The program also coincides with the Feast of the Assumption, and a Novena will be held after the 9 a.m. Masses from Aug. 9-15.
The festival will run Wednesday through Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., and Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m. The festival will launch with Sinatra night with Steve Magilo on Wednesday, and will continue with The Elderly Brothers on Thursday and comedian Eric Tartaglione on Friday. Saturday’s program will begin with Gino and Katie at 1 p.m., followed by an Irish Afternoon with Mike Byrne and the Devrin Academy Dancers.
Saturday’s program will also feature a 5 p.m. closing Mass, and a dance party from 6 p.m. until closing at 10 p.m.
Organizers and parish leaders are looking forward to this year’s installment.
“It is one of our best fundraisers that the parish has,” said parish business administrator Jim McMahon.
The parish’s Italian Festival, replaced a carnival that had become a mainstay of summer for the Ocean County faith community.
While the carnival proved to be a large and successful event each year, organizers in 2012 said that mounting competition from the nearby Jersey shore and Six Flags Great Adventure – less than an hour’s drive away – prompted the shift to the festival event.
At the time, parish organizers said that the festival was intended to include many of the same draws as its carnival predecessor. However, the festival would feature more of a focus on food, with offerings that have gone far beyond the typical carnival or fair menus.
Admission is free and includes entertainment. Parking on the parish grounds is also free of charge. For more information,
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By David Karas | Correspondent
For the third summer straight, organizers in Epiphany Parish, Brick, are putting together a festival aimed at being as nourishing for foodies as it is for the faithful.
The parish’s annual Italian Festival, featuring everything from music to rides, crafts to a wide selection of food, will take place Aug. 13 through 16 on the church grounds at 615 Thiele Road.
This year’s event, boasting an Italian street festival atmosphere with a range of food and beverages from professional vendors, will include a selection of Italian, American and BBQ food specialties, a beer and wine garden along with amusements, rides, games, crafts and nightly family-oriented entertainment.
The program also coincides with the Feast of the Assumption, and a Novena will be held after the 9 a.m. Masses from Aug. 9-15.
The festival will run Wednesday through Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., and Saturday from 12 to 10 p.m. The festival will launch with Sinatra night with Steve Magilo on Wednesday, and will continue with The Elderly Brothers on Thursday and comedian Eric Tartaglione on Friday. Saturday’s program will begin with Gino and Katie at 1 p.m., followed by an Irish Afternoon with Mike Byrne and the Devrin Academy Dancers.
Saturday’s program will also feature a 5 p.m. closing Mass, and a dance party from 6 p.m. until closing at 10 p.m.
Organizers and parish leaders are looking forward to this year’s installment.
“It is one of our best fundraisers that the parish has,” said parish business administrator Jim McMahon.
The parish’s Italian Festival, replaced a carnival that had become a mainstay of summer for the Ocean County faith community.
While the carnival proved to be a large and successful event each year, organizers in 2012 said that mounting competition from the nearby Jersey shore and Six Flags Great Adventure – less than an hour’s drive away – prompted the shift to the festival event.
At the time, parish organizers said that the festival was intended to include many of the same draws as its carnival predecessor. However, the festival would feature more of a focus on food, with offerings that have gone far beyond the typical carnival or fair menus.
Admission is free and includes entertainment. Parking on the parish grounds is also free of charge. For more information,
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