It’s Carnevale time . . .
NORTH BRUNSWICK — If it’s mid-July, township residents know it’s Carnevale Italiano time.
The annual event, run by the Italian-American Social Club, started Wednesday at North Brunswick Township High School.
It will run through Sunday and will include a fireworks display by the Grucci family at 10 p.m. Saturday.
It will be open from 6-11 p.m. tonight and Friday, and 5-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Last year, Vito Puleio, president of the club, said the carnival is an opportunity for families to go on rides and enjoy the food.
"It is a social event," he said.
On Wednesday, disabled children from Middlesex County enjoyed the rides and refreshments.
For those heading to the carnival, there will be plenty of places to find something to eat.
Last year, people could choose from Greek food, such as gyros and souvlaki; seafood; and Italian fare, such as pizza, calzone, lasagna, pasta and zeppole.
For the first time in the 12 years it has run the event, the club has to pay for police, fire, sanitation and other services. In the past, the township picked up the bill for overtime for off-duty police officers who patrolled the carnival, which cost taxpayers approximately $15,000.
Last June, the Township Council set ground rules for profit-making organizations, such as the Italian-American Club, to pay for their own safety personnel if they sponsor events attracting more than 1,000 people.