Clinton Township Newsletter

2 4 j u n e 2 0 2 2 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M Happy father's day! Do you hear distant carnival music, and smell the cotton candy? It's the return of the Immaculate Conception Parish Festival! Clinton 3Q caught up with Pastoral Associate and Festival Coordinator Laura Vitelli to see what's in store for this year! C3Q: I know that my family missed the Parish Festival so much! What are some of the things we can look forward to this year? LV: The Festival will run from June 22 through June 26 this year, and features rides, games, entertainment, a Super 50/50 Raffle, Tricky Tray, food, and fireworks! The Parish festival is introducing a convenient new ticketless system this year for the rides; ride cards can be purchased in advance at a bargain price (a $60 preloaded card is $30), and can be purchased at the Immaculate Conception Church Parish Office or after weekend Masses from May 14-June 19, and for the regular price at the event. C3Q: How long has the Immaculate Conception Parish Festival been running? How has it changed since its beginning, and what makes it special? LV: The Parish Festival started in 2001; this is the 21st year of the festival, and we are so excited to return! The first year we held it, it took four years of planning before the event ever happened, and the rides were in the field where we now park people, and it rained! During our first festival, we had a couple come over from the church immediately after their wedding and take a ride on the Ferris Wheel... they still return each year as volunteers together! In the past, we have had hot air balloon launches, a mechanical bull, climbing rock walls, a dunk tank... we've tried a lot of things! This year, we anticipate having a Car Bash, and possibly a hot air balloon launch. There are lots of rides for both older kids and younger kids to enjoy. Bumper Cars are popular, but the most popular ride with teens is probably The Zipper... it's a rite of passage! The event has really grown and evolved. This festival is wholesome fun, and my children grew up going, participating, and then volunteering in this festival. (In fact, my now son-in-law proposed to our daughter at the Festival in 2018 during the fireworks finale!) There is a family feel to the event, and it's like the kickoff to summer... everyone is just so pumped for it. The festival has won the family event category in 'Hunterdon Happenings,' and we're thrilled that people come from all over the community to attend. This year, we have the standard food tent, where we offer items such as traditional carnival foods (burgers, dogs, chicken sandwiches, sausage and peppers, meatballs, nachos, clams, ice cream... Funnel cake is one of the most sought-after items, and we are working on a pig roast for Friday. Our usual outside vendors will be in attendance as well: Maddalena's Cheesecake, an Asian BBQ, Roasted Corn. The majority of the food is done by church volunteers; we have at least four grills going and six fryers, and a beer and wine garden. As for entertainment, we just have a blast! This year, the Band "Act Your Age" will be there, we'll have local DJ Doctor D, and more rocking bands on Saturday and Sunday. We try to mix what we have on the stage so that it appeals to different age groups. On Saturday night, we have our fireworks extravaganza. C3Q: What are some of the behind-the- scenes things that it takes to put on a festival like this? L V : O n e o f t h e c e n t r a l t h i n g s that we've always considered is the logistics and site planning that we do, and putting safety first. We plan and work on it for weeks, and it's a full year of planning, a lot of different logistics and resources. We've always had the support of the local police department, and first responders from SBES, Annandale Hose, the Sheriff's Office, and the Prosecutor's Office. They are all supportive with their presence, and we don't take anything for granted; we aim to prevent and protect as much as we can, and to give the event a safe, family feel. Having a clean, wholesome, and safe festival is very important to us. Much of the planning committee and many volunteers have been with us for years. We have about twenty committees, and staff the festival for over five days with around 800 people. My father, who is 90 years old, is still volunteering and leading a committee (and mentoring a new backup!) When we shut down for Covid, we had to make decisions and sought advisement of both law enforcement and the diocese, and the comfort level wasn't there to do the event. I'm confident for this year, prayerful, and hopeful for volunteers, which is our challenge. Sponsorship is critical to this event, and sponsors get announced throughout the festival day. It takes many hands and many volunteers, old and new, and everyone is excited to bring the festival back. Getting involved and volunteering is not only a way of serving your community, but of setting an example for your children of giving back. Volunteering and service is something children need to learn by watching and by example. Service is such a good example to youth; it's also a way of building friends. Someone who volunteered to help with ice cream 15 years ago or more, has become one of my best friends. A parishioner, not connected to the school, met other community members and made long- lasting friendships that extend to other social events. To me, it's an all-around good thing to get involved. The rewards come in immaterial ways, in the relationships that you form, and there is also great reward in seeing the joy on children's faces as they enjoy the festival, and win (or lose!) at a game. Everything we do is for the good of the children of this community; they are the ultimate beneficiaries of what we do here. When tensions from setup are running high before the event, we remind everyone that when you hear the squeals of excitement from the littles on the first day, it makes it so worth it. Thank you Laura, and all the volunteers of Immaculate Conception Church and School. We're looking forward to the festival! n Rachel Sprague, a resident of Clinton Township, has a degree in journalism from Rutgers. With her husband Russell, Rachel is raising two young children in the Clinton Township School District. She thinks that Clinton Township is a delightful place to live. Welcome to with Rachel Sprague * C linton ree Questions *

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