Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 10/12/2023
An Italian American Heritage Month Outstanding Service medal is presented to Michele DiIorgi, Deputy Director of the Housing Authority of Bergen County and former Chief of Staff to the Bergen County Executive.
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- On Wednesday, October 11, 2023 the County of Bergen hosted a ceremony in recognition of Italian American Heritage Month in the Piazza at One Bergen County Plaza.
Italian American Heritage Month was first proclaimed by the President and Congress in 1989 and is celebrated each year in the month of October to celebrate and honor the immeasurable contributions, achievements, and successes of Italians and Italian Americans throughout the United States. With nearly 200,000 people of Italian descent, more people in Bergen County identify as Italian American than any other heritage.
Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III issued a proclamation recognizing October 2023 as Italian American Heritage Month to Honorary Consul of the Consulate General of Italy in New York, Sarah Salamone. The event also featured remarks from honorees State Senator Paul A. Sarlo of District 36 and the State Senator Joseph A. Lagana of District 38 as well as a cultural performance on the piccolo by Mauro Salamone of Federazione Siciliana del New Jersey.
The County 2023 Italian American Heritage Month celebration was attended by state, county, and municipal officials from across Bergen County including County Commissioners Rafael Marte, Dr. Joan Voss, Germaine Ortiz, Tracy Zur, Steve Tanelli, Mary Amoroso, State Senators Joseph Lagana and Paul Sarlo, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, County Clerk John Hogan, County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Sheriff’s Office Chief Carmelo Giustra, and Sheriff’s Office Chief Warrant Officer Freddy Federico among several others.
County Executive James J. Tedesco III presents a 2023 Italian American Heritage Month Outstanding Community Service Award to Eugene Iaconetti, a United States Marine Corps Veteran, who will be celebrating his 100th birthday next month.
The County presented “2023 Italian American Outstanding Service Awards” to members of the community.
2023 Italian American Heritage Month Outstanding Community Service Award Recipients:
* Gianna Carrino, Teen Thrive Program Coordinator, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
* Ralph Contini, UNICO National President
* Michele DiIorgi, Deputy Director, Housing Authority of Bergen County
* Maria Ferrara, Executive Assistant to the President, Bergen Community College
* Eugene Iaconetti, Corporal, United States Marine Corps, Veteran
* Honorable Joseph A. Lagana, Senator, District 38 New Jersey Legislature
* Honorable Paul A. Sarlo, Senator, District 36 New Jersey Legislature, Mayor of the Borough of Wood-Ridge
* Gian Varbaro, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center
Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III, Bergen County Commissioner Rafael Marte, Bergen County Commissioner Chair Pro Tempore Dr. Joan Voss, Bergen County Commissioner Vice Chairwoman Germaine Ortiz, Honorable Senator Joseph A. Lagana of District 38, Honorable Senator Paul A. Sarlo of District 36, Bergen County Commissioner Steve Tanelli, District 38 Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, Bergen County Commissioner Mary Amoroso, and Bergen County Clerk John Hogan standing with 2023 Italian American Heritage Month Outstanding Service Award Honorees.
Food and refreshments followed the conclusion of the ceremony compliments of Clemente Bakery and the Cangialosi Family.
EVENT PREVIEWS
UBS Arena To Host International Soccer Watch Party on June 19th
(BELMONT PARK, NY) -- UBS Arena will host an International Soccer Watch Party, a public screening of two of the FIFA World Cup 26 (TM) matches on Friday, June 19 featuring USA v. Australia and Haiti v. Brazil. The fan-focused events will highlight all the excitement the tournament is bringing to the New York Metro area this summer and provide local residents with a unique way to experience these soccer matches together as a community.
Newark Restaurant Week Returns June 19-28 to Showcase the City's Global Flavors during FIFA World Cup 2026(TM)
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Taste the World: Newark Restaurant Week returns June 19-28, 2026, bringing together the city's celebrated restaurants, longtime local staples, and emerging destinations for 10 days of dining timed with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ festivities across the region.
37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival to Take Place June 27-28, 2026
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) -- Manayunk Development Corporation is excited to celebrate the 37th Annual Manayunk Arts Festival on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 11:00am to 7:00pm and Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The tradition of being the tri-state area's largest outdoor juried art festival - and the largest in Pennsylvania - will continue as Main Street hosts approximately 300 different local and nationally known artists and crafters.
Carteret's Independence Day Festival to feature country star Walker Hayes
(CARTERET, NJ) -- One of New Jersey's most popular Independence Day Festivals will take place in Carteret's Civic Center Park (100 Cooke Avenue) from 6:00pm to midnight on Friday, July 3, 2026 in celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Bergen County presents 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular
(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen 250 Initiative are excited to announce that Bergen County's 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular will return July 4, 2026 at Overpeck County Park. All are invited to attend this patriotic afternoon of family fun which will include live music, children's activities, over 20 food trucks, a beer and wine garden, carnival attractions, and stunning fireworks to conclude the evening over Overpeck Creek.
Washington Crossing Historic Park Launches Community-Wide Call to Support Expanded Independence Day Celebration in America's 250th Anniversary Year
(WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA) -- Washington Crossing Historic Park (WCHP) in Pennsylvania plans to host an expanded Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026 from 4:00pm to 9:30pm featuring immersive living history experiences, family-friendly activities, live music, and the return of fireworks over the Delaware River. Designed as a community-wide celebration of America250, the event is intended to create a meaningful space for residents and visitors to commemorate this historic milestone year. Please note: Admission is required; registration is recommended only for the 4:00pm ‐ 8:00pm Living History Program. The evening concert and fireworks are free and open to the public; no registration is required to attend those portions of the event.
Passage Theatre Company presents 3rd Annual Word on Front festival
(TRENTON, NJ) -- Passage Theatre Company's third annual Word on Front event is set to be its biggest yet. In celebration of the United States of America's 250th Anniversary, the company is presenting Word on Front 250, three consecutive weekends of a variety of live arts from June 26 to July 12, 2026. This festival of spoken word, music, and solo performance will celebrate the untold and underrepresented stories of America.
Centenary Stage Company Announces Lineup for SUMMERFEST 2026
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's SUMMERFEST 2026 is set to take center stage in the Lackland Performing Arts Center with four productions running through the summer months. SUMMERFEST will feature, A Taste of Ireland presented by Pace Live, The Wedding Singer, Four Sticks: The Music of Led Zeppelin, and Maltby & Shire's Closer Than Ever.
Hallmark Stars Take the Stage at The Carteret PAC on July 22nd during First-Time Multi-City Tour Experience Hallmark Stars Live
(CARTERET, NJ) -- Hallmark and Gershwin Entertainment are proud to announce Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, a new live tour kicking off at URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7:30pm where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling.
Hallmark Stars Live comes to MPAC on July 26th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, is a new live tour kicking off this summer where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling. The tour comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 7:00pm.
FEATURED EVENTS
