CRESSKILL, N.J.—Summer is carnival season and Cresskill kicked it off with its annual fun-filled UNICO carnival. Every evening from May 8–11, the borough’s Third Street pool facility was filled with families. There were dozens of carnival rides supplied by Acme Amusements, games for all ages, great food, and plenty of excitement.
Kids as well as their parents gathered at the array of booths where they could win stuffed animals and other prizes while many more enjoyed the rides.
Hungry carnival goers had a choice of everything from hot dogs and cheesesteaks to fried Oreos and Sno cones.
From teens to tots, everyone at the Unico Carnival in Cresskill had a great time.
John, of “Eddie John Zeppoles,” and his wife, Cindy, have been working at the Unico carnival for many years.
“We travel all over—New York, Westchester, Queens and New Jersey—but I really like Cresskill. It’s a nice small town. The police and people are very friendly and the atmosphere isn’t hectic. I’ve worked the San Gennaro Festival in New York City, and it was so crazy that one day I had to walk to Canal Street and climb upstairs in a building just to get away from the crowds!”
Cindy added, “I like this carnival because the proceeds go to Unico and they do great work.”
UNICO supports many charities
UNICO National is a service organization of Italian Americans that was established in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1922. Its mission is to engage in charitable works, support higher education, and perform patriotic deeds. According to its website, it is the “largest Italian American service organization in the USA.”
Since Unico began, thousands of people and organizations have been recipients of its charity. Unico helps in national and international disasters. They have raised thousands of dollars for victims of earthquakes and $30,000 for victims of the Sept. 11 Twin Towers attack.
Each year, UNICO Foundation and UNICO National Chapters donate approximately $1 million to various charities that support cancer research, mental health and other worthy causes. They also focus on giving scholarships to deserving students from chapter locations.