History
The Order Sons of Italy in America was founded in 1905 and is the oldest, largest and most demographically diverse service and fraternal organization of American men and women.
The Order is a fraternal organization that represents the Italian heritage in America. Its primary members are of Italian descent, or who have ties by birth, or by marriage.
Our Lodge was incorporated as a non-profit organization on September 12, 1992, after having obtained our charter on June 11, 1992.
Our Lodge is also recognized as having been the first continuously chartered OSIA Lodge in the State of South Carolina.
Membership in our Lodge is open to men and women who have ties to our Italian Heritage, or those interested in joining our fraternity merely to have ties with other Lodge members,
but who do not have any direct Italian affiliation. We also have "at Large" memberships for those individuals who spend less than 6 months on the Grand Strand,
or those who reside more than 60 miles from Myrtle Beach.
Our Lodge meets regularly on the second Sunday of the month at our own Lodge building. We contribute regularly to : A.R.C. of Horry county, Cooley's Anemia and various other charities.
Our Lodge regularly participates in numerous community events and festivals.
As a group, we take part in numerous travel excursions, via bus, ocean liner, and travels to Italy.
Our Order stresses the spirit of early Italian immigrants that is embodied in the principles of the Order: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
Please contact us, as we look forward to your participation in our activities, with the realization that such could result in gaining new friendships for you.
Please visit our "Contact Us" page for all the information necessary to inquire about membership or to ask a question.
Our italian festival
Each year for the last 14 years, our Lodge has held our Italian Festival here, in Myrtle Beach. We normally entertain some 10,000 to 15,000 visitors.
The festival started on March, 1994 and we suffered thru the "Storm of the Century"…having experienced rain, sleet, snow, and hurricane winds. After that, we moved it to the week after Labor Day.
At first we had restaurant vendors serving foods, and soon thereafter we started providing the food ourselves, with only the Fayetteville Lodge providing pizzas.
Planning for the festival usually
starts with a press release advising a need for ARTS & CRAFTS VENDORS. We usually manage to get some 50 vendors, all with varying products.
Starting around April, we hold once a month festival planning meetings at which developments, progress, and ideas are formulated. Volunteers are also requested to sign up for their
favorite booths and time assignments. Around August, we ask for volunteers to prepare quantities of tomato sauce for use in our meatball and sausage booth. We also distribute T shirts for all
volunteers to wear during the festival.
We now provide Sausage and Meatball sandwiches, Italian Pastries, Zeppole, Beer, Wine, Souvenirs and a Heritage booth. Continuous entertainment starts at noon and lasts all day.
Visitors tents are provided for added comfort from the days heat, and a place to sit and enjoy the food and entertainment.
On September 6 & 7th, 2008, we will be holding our
14th ANNUAL ITALIAN FESTIVAL. This will be our FIRST 2-day event. COME AND JOIN US!!
