Living in Branford for 10 years has given Paul Criscuolo the opportunity to spread the news to his neighbors about the St. George Men’s Group (SGMG) Italian Festival, ready to celebrate its 10th year in Guilford as the shoreline’s favorite Italian fest this Friday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 24.

Located behind St. George Catholic Church, this year’s fest features two family-friendly days of Italian food, fun, and entertainment. Thanks to many hands making light work, the all-volunteer members of SGMG have prepared mounds of delicious homemade Italian delights to serve up, including sausage and peppers, meatball subs, eggplant subs, pasta and meatballs, meatballs on a stick, lasagna and pasta fagioli. The festival also offers Philly steak and cheese, hamburgers, hot dogs and fries, Caesar salad, and, of course, fried dough pizza.

But that’s not all - the fest also features a raw bar, cannolis, gelato, beer, and wine. For fun, there are bocce tournaments, entertainment and music, face painting, and a “KidsZone.” Rounding out the festival’s Italian cultural spirit are special events, including Friday’s spaghetti-eating contest and Saturday’s best meatball competition and grape stomping contest (pre-registration required for the meatball competition).

Musically, local favorite Tony V sings on Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday night from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday night’s live musical entertainment continues with The Center Line Band (7 to 10 p.m.) followed on Saturday night by the music of Eight to the Bar (7 to 10 p.m.).

Families love the fact that the SGMG Italian fest admission is free for kids 15 and under and just $5 for those 16 and over. Gates open at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, until closing at 10 p.m. On Saturday, the fest resumes at 3 p.m. until closing at 10 p.m.

Established in 2012, SGMG gathers its hands-on membership from the parish of St. George and the surrounding community. Its deeply committed members share a common goal: to answer the call for social justice through good works by being nimble, resourceful, and pulling on the talents of all members.

Selecting the charitable beneficiary for SGMG events is determined by consensus after discussion and review of proposed organizations and needs brought by members. This year, 100% of festival proceeds will benefit Sound Life Connections, a local organization with which Paul has a very personal connection.

“Sound Life Connections is a nonprofit in Guilford started by my daughter and another special education teacher,” Paul explains. “They’ve created a place for kids that have aged out of the [public school] system, where they can get together and continue working with life skills and vocational skills and have a place to socialize.”

Nonprofit Sound Life Connections is located on Whitfield Street in Guilford. The site is home to an inclusive community in which young adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, and other developmental disabilities feel welcomed and valued through employment and social opportunities.

Paul’s daughter, Tara Beatty, planted the seeds for the organization with her colleague, Keri Climie, in 2022. Keri has over 24 years of experience as a speech and language pathologist and has worked in Guilford Public Schools (GPS) for over 16 years. Tara is a special education teacher of 24 years who has worked in GPS for over 20 years. She recently shared the organization’s goals and mission during a presentation for SGMG members.

Paul and his wife, Maureen, a former GPS special ed paraprofessional of 25 years, volunteer regularly at Sound Life Connections.

“We’ll show up there three or four days a week,” says Paul. “In the summertime, they have some great events. Once a month, they have karaoke on Friday night that’s unbelievable. There’s so much love, and you just leave there flying high about how much the kids get involved and are interacting with each other. It’s terrific.”

One of the goals of Sound Life Connections is selling gelato as a way to help employ the young adults the organization serves. The program now has a gelato trailer, which will be at the festival.

“The kids are actually going to be selling gelato at the Italian fest to further benefit Sound Life Connections,” Paul notes. “So it’s going to be a really great event for them and a way for people to get to know more about Sound Life Connections.”

From its start 10 years ago, the SGMG Italian Festival has been a hit. Just as they have every year, the men’s group provides all of the prep, cooking, and service of Italian dinner specialties, including group co-founder Jim Mancini’s mom’s meatball recipe (aka Mama Mancini’s meatballs). The members roll out approximately 2,500 meatballs to prepare for the fest, which draws an average of 1,000 guests per day.

As a member of the St. George parish, Paul was excited to be invited to join SGMG about nine years ago because he wanted to be a part of a dynamic group that makes an impact by supporting good causes.

“That’s their mission. There’s not a lot of other stuff involved. They just do good works,” says Paul.

Since 2012, SGMG has raised over $401,700 (and counting) to give to various local and national charities.

The Italian Festival is SGMG’s largest annual fundraiser.

“We probably raise between $25,000 and $30,000 each year, and 100% goes to the charity,” Paul says.

Before moving to Branford, Paul and Maureen resided in Guilford for 32 years. They raised their four children in Guilford and are now enjoying retirement as the proud grandparents of 10. The Criscuolos have been married 54 years.

“My wife and I grew up on the same street in New Haven, so we’ve been together a long time,” says Paul.

After retiring from his 35-year career as a sales manager, Paul says he’s happy to be one of the “worker bees” behind the scenes at the Italian fest. He’ll be among the busy group serving up food at the SGMG tent.

Paul’s proud to note that the shoreline comes together to enjoy the SGMG Italian Festival each year.

“You’re going there for the food and the entertainment and because everyone there is having a great time to help a great cause. It’s really a fun event.”

The 2024 SGMG Italian Festival arrives with the assistance of Gold Sponsors Horton Group and The Guilford Foundation and by partnering with GSB. The festival is located behind St. George Catholic Church, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford. For more information, visit stgeorgemensgroup.org.