The Galbani Maryland Italian Festival continues a new tradition-in-the-making this weekend with a new location at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. In just a few short years of its successful launch, it’s already on its way to becoming one of the state’s most eagerly anticipated annual events—a contested crowd-pleaser with an ever-impressive turnout.
Ripken Stadium boasts more space, easier access, better crowd navigation, and provides plenty of potential for all of this year’s additional offerings and amenities. Furthermore, it’s equipped to expand and grow along with the festival each passing year.
The Galbani Maryland Italian Festival is presented by Jarrettsville Furniture and hosted by the Society of Italian American Businessmen (SIAB), which is also based in Aberdeen. Jarrettsville Furniture co-owner Frank Avena also happens to be a well-respected member of the SIAB himself.
Established in 2013, the Society of Italian American Businessmen works to support 501(c)3 charities throughout Maryland in a number of ways. Their philosophy “è nel dare, che riceviamo,” rightfully translates to “it’s in giving, that we receive.” That’s what being a member is all about—being a part of something bigger than oneself by focusing on a desire to give back.
Their giving certainly exceeds a broad range of disciplines, from educational to family and child services, mental health, addiction, and so much more. To date, SIAB’s fundraising events have resulted in charitable giving to over 129 area 501(c)3 nonprofits and 67 educational scholarships. The Total profits raised exceed $1,000,000.
The SIAB provides several major fundraising events throughout the year, with their major ones being an annual Spring Gala, Golf Outing, and the Galbani Maryland Italian Festival. This latter event was only launched as recently as 2023 and, like I said before, it’s already off to becoming a pretty popular pursuit. It already ranks as the largest Italian Festival in all of Maryland!
The 2025 installment of the Galbani Maryland Italian Festival will take place from September 26 to 28, offering an array of fun activities designed for the whole family. Sample deliciously done-up-to-perfection authentic Italian food and drink. Browse the versatile retail and business vendor setups, offering a profuse abundance of novelty goods and services. There will also be informative cultural exhibits and heritage displays along the way and nonstop entertainment, to boot!
Each day of the Festival’s run packs its own schedule of anchoring events. Some of the more universal highlights, however, will be offered all weekend long. These include carnival rides and midway games, character appearances by Super Mario Bros. (Mario and Luigi), stilt walkers, balloon twisters, glassblowing demos, axe-throwing, live musical performances, on-stage cooking demos, all the aforementioned vendor setups, and so much more.
Gates open on Friday at 5 p.m., with festivities lasting well into the night, concluding at 11 p.m. The official opening ceremony will be at 7 p.m. Friday has been designated as Military Appreciation Night and comes with a 50 percent discount for active-duty personnel, reservists, and veterans. The Friday entertainment schedule includes Sounds of Italy at 5 p.m., Andre Amoroso at 5:40 p.m., Blond Ambition Tribute to Madonna at 8:30 p.m., and Discoteca Italiana at 10 p.m. On the cooking stage, a wine demo will take place at 6 p.m. Celebrity chef Marco Sciortino will be leading a demo at 7 p.m. following that.
Topping off the evening will be a fireworks display at 10:40 p.m. Another display will encore Saturday evening as that day’s sendoff.
Things get started a bit earlier on Saturday, with doors opening at 11 a.m. and remaining in full swing until 11 p.m. There will be several anchoring highlights to mark the day, including the fan-favorite Italian Car Rally. A Bocce Tournament benefitting the Special Olympics will also be taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
In the way of musical performances, you have Sounds of Italy at 11 a.m., Vanessa Racci taking to the stage at noon, Larry Noto and the Little Big Band onsite starting at 2 p.m., Julie Anna Gulenko at 4 p.m., the Monaldi Brothers performing at 6 p.m., and Ray Massa’s Eurorhythms topping things off at 8 p.m.
Gina Ciagne will lead a cooking demo at noon, followed by a wine seminar by VOGA at 1 p.m. Then Chef Nina Vietri will take over at 2 p.m., followed by The Local Chef Zach Trabbold at 3 p.m. Kelley Ray and Maria Baldridge will be onsite at 4 p.m., followed by another wine seminar by VOGA at 5 p.m. Celebrity Chef Marco Sciortino will be topping things off at 6 p.m.
Doors officially open at 11 a.m. on Sunday, but do take note of an outdoor church service (Mass) that will take place before the Festival commences. Mass begins at 10 a.m.
Again, the day promises a host of happy happenings. From the live entertainment side of things, you have Julie Gulenko taking to the stage at 11:30 a.m., followed by the Monaldi Brothers at 1:15 p.m. At 3 p.m., the stage will make way for the anticipated Galbani Celebrity Cheese Stacking for Charity, followed by Ray Massa’s Eurorhythms at 3:30 p.m. Then, at 5:30 p.m., you have the Rat Pack Together Again to close things out.
Sunday cooking demos will get underway at noon, starting with Sarah Klein from Klein Supermarkets. A VOGA wine seminar will follow at 1 p.m., then it’s Jessica Ryu and Lindsay Keller with LASAGNA LOVE at 2 p.m. There will be another VOGA wine seminar at 3 p.m., followed by Celebrity Chef Marco Sciortino at 4 p.m.
The Festival officially concludes its 2025 run at 7 p.m. on September 28. Tickets are now on sale. Daily admission is $12 (including processing fees). Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. A three-day general admission weekend pass is only $25. To get tickets or to learn more about the Festival offerings and the Society of Italian American Businessmen, visit the website at www.marylanditalianfestival.com.