Croatians on New York’s Long Island keep 31-year summer picnic tradition alive
- by croatiaweek
- in News
(Photo: CNYC Picnic)
Centerport, Long Island, New York, 24 September 2019 – Every summer the Croatians on Long Island, New York’s North Shore, get together for a grand picnic, a tradition which has been kept alive for 31 years.
Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 1981 “Istria & Kvarner – Long Island” in conjunction with The Croatian New Yorker Club held its 31st Annual Picnic this summer.
The picnic was well attended, and as always, was held at beautiful Centerport Beach, located on Huntington Bay of Long Island Sound. The weather was ideal for swimming, picnicking, listening to traditional music, and catching up with old friends and relatives, and meeting new ones.
There is always a large contingent of people at the picnic with Croatian roots from the Adriatic Kvarner islands of Unije, Ilovik and Krk. Much to their pleasure, they were delighted to hear the wonderful traditional accordion music played by Ilovik native Paulo Belanich.
Paulo Belanich (CNYC Picnic)
The food is always a big hit with the crowd (and for many- the main reason for coming!) There was grilled pork, chicken, and cevapčići on the BBQ grills. Always freshly picked Long Island corn on the cob, steamed clams from Long Island Sound , kobasi & sauerkraut, blitva s kumpiri, roasted vegetables, fresh garden salads and fazuoleti are on the serving menu! The desert finale included: bužije, makovnjača, orehnjača, pogača, and cherry and walnut strudels. Nobody ever goes home hungry.
(CNYC Picnic)
(CNYC Picnic)
(CNYC Picnic)
“We are always pleased to welcome so many Croatians from the area. Our guests this year came from New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Upstate New York,” Anton Angelich, President Lodge 1981 and Trustee of Croatian New Yorker Club, said.
All the people in this picture below were either born or descended from the very small Kvarner island of Unije.
(CNYC Picnic)
