74 and going strong; fair returns to Iselin church
After 74 years, the Iselin fair still boasts rides, food and fun
BY JESSICA ALFREY
Correspondent

PHOTOSBYSCOTT PILLING staff Above: Stephen Ulrich, 5, of Monroe, makes an attempt to win a fish during the Saint Cecilia Church's annual fair in Iselin on July 14. Below: Caitlin Diaz (l-r) and her friend, Julia Vitiello, have a great time on the rides.

WOODBRIDGE - This past week, the Saint Cecilia Church celebrated its seventy-fourth year of its Iselin Fair.

The fair was held from July 9 through July 14 at the Saint Cecilia Church in the Iselin section of Woodbridge.

The fair was originally started as a parish carnival that supported the church itself, though the money now goes to support the parish school.

The fair featured rides and games along with traditional fair cuisine. The fair claims fame for its food, one of the most popular being the infamous, Saint Cecilia style pizza that boasts a secret pizza sauce with handmade, lightly fried pizza dough, and a layer of Parmesan cheese.

According to Mary Jane Kress, a pastoral associate at the parish, the pizza has been a staple at the fair for at least 40 years, with some of the original pizza "stretchers," those who give the dough its shape, still working at the Pizza Corner.

Keeping with the local tradition, Kress said the group gets their fresh dough from the Santos Bakery in Avenel.

Other famous foods found at the Pizza Corner were the crullers, a fried dough that has been dragged through a blend of sugars.

Fair-goers with a taste for the exotic also indulged in clams on the half-shell and Asian barbecue.

Performers included Judy Torres, Opera Steve and KNS. Magicians wowed the crowd, while the bold and brazen participated in karaoke. Local groups like the St. Cecilia's Drama Club and the Children's Choir also entertained the crowds.

Kress said the event was important to the community. "It's volunteer coordinated, it's volunteer staffed," said Kress. "All of our entertainment is donated."

Kress also explained that the event reaches across traditional Catholic lines. Many of their volunteers are from a large group of Native American locals who send their children to the school because they believe in the same values and discipline.

"We may not worship the same God," said Kress, "but we believe in the same values and discipline."

Kress attributes the longevity of the fair to the volunteers.

"We have a great mix of people," said Kress. "We're all working towards a common goal."