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Community Corner

Bristol Lions Club Celebrates Italian Culture With Community

Thousands of people take part in the 28th annual Italian Festival and Doo Wop concert at Lions Park.

Thousands of people took part in the 28th annual Italian Day.

Ethnic food, big band music and a variety of vendors participated in celebration of Italian culture with the Delaware River as a scenic backdrop.

Sponsored by the Bristol Lions Club, the event took place Saturday at the Bristol Lions Park.

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Bristol Lions Club President Melissa Paolini said it was a day for the community to come out and enjoy all that the Lions Club and the Italian culture has to offer the borough and its residents. 

"We have events like this supporting the various ethnic groups that make up the borough, highlighting the diversity of the community and they bring people from all over the area," Paolini said.

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The event was also aimed at raising funds to support local students and the various activities the club sponsors during the year.

"lt’s important for the Lions Club to support the community. It’s something we've been doing successfully for years," Paolini said.

Abbey Weiss and John Kevin Gallagher were first time vendors at the event selling handmade jewelry.

"We have family in the area. This is a community event and we support that idea," the pair said.

Bristol Borough Council President Ralph Diguiseppe also came to the event.

"It takes all year to plan and prepare this event. The Lions Club and the Bristol Borough Council work together insuring success for the all-day affair that also included arts and crafts fair," Diguiseppe said.

Twin sisters Rachel and Sarah Stanton showed off their creative skills with handmade tie-dye shirts and accessories as part of their Rainbow Fish Tie Dye business.

"This is our first year here and the response is incredible," Stanton said. "We will be back next year."

The Doo Wop concert was also part of the Italian Day festivities.

Diguisepee said the concert among the events rescheduled due to flooding and tumultuous weather earlier in the month.

"So today, we have three events going at the same time," Diguisepee said.

"I look so forward to this every summer and today we get double the bang with Italian Day and the concert," resident Gloria G. said.

"We start planning for next year real soon. It’s a labor of love and the Lions Club loves being able to do this for the community," Paolini said.

For more information on the non-profit organization check out the Bristol Lions Club website.

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