Five days of family fun at St. William

There was something for everyone at the St. William the Abbot Family Festival, held July 8 through 12. The festival included rides and games, as well as food, nightly music and Las Vegas themed activities for adults.

Now in its 39th year, the festival brings the community together and allows “the parish community to give back to the larger community of Seaford,” the Rev. Bob Hayden, pastor at St. William, explained. “And you must have a zeppole – that’s required,” he joked.

While St. William has done other fairs, the Family Festival is by far “our biggest event of the year,” Hayden said. The fair helps to support the programs and services provided at St. William. There are 5,900 families in the parish. Although Hayden didn’t provide how much money the fair raised, he did say “it’s a good amount.”

Approximately 300 parishioners volunteered to man the 20 booths that included games and food stands. Parishioners also sold raffles as well as a chance to win a Toyota Camry or a cash prize of $20,000.

“We have a lot of long-time volunteers,” Hayden said. “People figure they can find some little thing to do here at the fair.”

Parishioner Tom Conroy, head of security for the fair, has been volunteering for 15 years. “There are a lot of people who come back year after year,” he said. “It is for a good cause but there is a lot of work. We start a month before we open and the planning committee meets in January to get everything started.”

Rita Orlando and Sandy Kandybowicz, usually at the Knock-a-Block booth, manned the Treasure Chest this year. At this booth, participants had to shake the levers in order to try and get the coins to fall out. “I’ve been a volunteer for about 20 years,” Orlando said. “I started when my children were little because I wanted them to get involved in the parish, and I stayed.”

“I’ve been here five years,” added Kandybowicz. “I come for the kids. They are the best part of it. I always feel bad when they don’t win.”

Jeanie and Vinnie Pisciotta are 10-year volunteers who were stationed at the bowling, shuffleboard and darts booth. They are both active members of the parish and also volunteer as pre-Cana ministers. Vinnie is also a lector.

“Don’t forget to try the food. It’s all homemade. I’m told the calzones are outstanding,” he said.

“Try the fried Oreos,” added Jeanie.

At the duck pond booth, two little girls were fishing for ducks. They each won a prize. Rosemary Ritter, now a freshman at Molloy College, said she’d been working that booth since sixth grade. “The children are so sweet,” she said. “It’s so much fun.”

On Saturday, the fair was filled with happy revelers. As the sun set, the rides lit up the night sky, smells of popcorn wafted through the air. Meanwhile DJ Bob provided musical entertainment.

Lisa and Ed Winglicki came all the way from Pennsylvania to attend the fair. “My sister Laura Richards lives in Seaford,” Winglicki said. “We’re visiting and my sister suggested coming to the fair. It’s fun and I love the zeppoles.”