Spotlight On Maryland-The SIAB

This week on Spotlight On Maryland, Gina Crash was joined in studio by Joe Papa, Society of Italian American Businessmen, (SIAB), Board Member & Past President, Co-Chair, 2026 Avena Maryland Italian Festival and Frank Avena, Title Sponsor of the 2026 Avena Maryland Italian Festival September 25th-27th at Ripken Stadium to talk about the Festival, their mission and their connection to Maryland and the local community.

Founded in Harford County in 2013, The SIAB is a local, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings together the bonds of their heritage and brings them together to be a part of something bigger than themselves as individuals for the common cause of promoting Italian culture and raising money for other local nonprofit organizations. Their charitable giving of more that $1.2 million dollars focuses on the areas of education, family & child services, mental health and addiction including their largest pledge to date, $100,000 to the Char Hope Foundation.

Ticket sales to the 2026 Avena Maryland Italian Festival help fund the SIAB's mission. The Festival's music lineup includes Bad Medicine on Friday night performing the music of Italian American Jon Bon Jovi. Saturday night features the Atlantic City Boys and Sunday night it's Vintage Vegas. Click here to purchase tickets.

To find out more about the Society of Italian American Businessmen and the 2026 Avena Maryland Italian Festival, visit theSIAB.org. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Click the media player above to listen to the interview and find out more.