Italian music, culinary delights and fierce bocce tournament draws 23,000 to festival
The Society of Italian American Businessmen (SIAB), a Maryland-based charitable organization supporting organizations focused on education, family and child services, mental health and addiction, celebrated the largest Italian festival in Maryland this past weekend at the Hartford County Equestrian Center. 23,000 people attended The Galbani Maryland Italian Festival, which took place from September 29 through October 1, 2023, during this inaugural year.
With the hard work and dedication of the SIAB members and volunteers, The Galbani Maryland Italian Festival raised over $300,000 during the three-day festival for their charitable giving program. Over the last 10 years, SIAB has given grants to many organizations, including a $50,000 grant to the Chesapeake Health Education Program that was presented on Saturday night of the festival by SIAB members on stage. Several of the festival’s participating businesses followed suit and donated portions of the proceeds from their sales to select community organizations as well.
“In the spirit of our organization, we are committed to continuing to give back to the community for the support they have given us during the festival,” said SIAB President Joe Papa. “It was amazing to share the weekend with fellow Marylanders and those who traveled from neighboring states and far beyond to celebrate our Italian culture all weekend long.”
On Sunday, the final day of the festival featured the Galbani Celebrity Cheese Stacking Contest for Charity. Papa was the cheese stacking winner and donated his first-place winnings of $1,000 to the Maryland SPCA.
Kicking off Italian-American heritage month, the Galbani Maryland Italian Festival featured over 40 diverse vendors, including local business such as, DiPasquale’s Marketplace, Nino’s Gourmet Dough, Liberatore’s, DiPasqual
The family-friendly festival included a blend of Italian food and retail vendors, carnival rides and midway games, national and regional entertainment and a piazza serving wine, beer and liquor. In addition, SIAB’s annual Bocce Tournament took place during the festival allowing teams to compete for big cash prizes on Saturday and cheer on athletes from the Special Olympics as they compete in a multi-state regional tournament on Sunday.
“I am humbled and grateful to have been a part of this inaugural celebration and share the joys of Italian food and culture with my community,” said Festival Chair Elio Scaccio. “The festival has given me the opportunity to connect with other proud Italian-Americans and introduce our non-Italian friends to the richness of our heritage and bring together people of all ages for an unforgettable weekend. We’re looking forward to 2024 already!”
In light of the success of the inaugural festival, SIAB is excited to announce plans for the second annual Galbani Maryland Italian Festival, scheduled to take place next September at the Harford County Equestrian Center. Updates on next year’s festival will be shared at www.
ABOUT THE SOCIETY OF ITALIAN AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN
The Society of Italian American Businessmen (SIAB) believes that “in giving you shall receive.” The organization’s humble beginnings in 2013 fostered a movement among members to be a part of something bigger than themselves. This desire has become a resounding reason why people have been drawn to this organization. SIAB focuses on giving to Maryland 501(c)3 charities in the areas of education, family and child services, mental health and addiction. The organization’s major fundraising events include the annual Spring Gala, Golf Outing and The Maryland Italian Festival, debuting in 2023. SIAB’s fundraising events to date have resulted in charitable giving to over 75 area 501(c)3 nonprofits and more than 33 educational scholarships — totaling over $750,000 in impact to the community. More information about SIAB is available at thesiab.org.
ABOUT LACTALIS
Lactalis in the United States is committed to enriching lives by producing nutritious and great tasting dairy products. The company offers a strong, well-regarded portfolio of dairy products in the United States including Galbani® Italian cheeses, Président® specialty cheeses and gourmet butters, Kraft® brands in natural, grated and international cheeses, Breakstones® cottage cheese, ricotta and sour cream, Cracker Barrel® cheese, Black Diamond® cheddar cheese, Parmalat® milk, siggi’s® and Stonyfield Organic® yogurt brands. In the United States the company has approximately 3,700 employees, is present in eight states with 11 manufacturing facilities and corporate offices located in New York City and Buffalo, NY, Chicago, IL, Londonderry, NH and San Fernando, CA. Lactalis in the United States is part of Lactalis Group, the world’s leading dairy company, a French family business founded in 1933 in Laval, France. For more information, visit https://lactalisamericangroup.
