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| For the past several years, one of the major fundraisers for the Plymouth Canton Vietnam Veterans’ group has been the Fall Festival Party Tent behind E.G. Nick's on Forest Street. The tent features live music and beverage service on both Friday and Saturday night and 100 percent of the $5 cover charge is donated to the veterans’ group. |
For the past several years, one of the major fundraisers for the veterans' group which formed in 1978, “To promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam era veterans,” is the popular Party Tent behind E.G. Nick's on Forest Avenue. Owners Tony Belli and Frank Agostini began donating the entire cover charge of $5 per person to the group about five years ago. Since then, word has spread and contributions at the entrance to the huge, air-conditioned tent in the parking lot have become a tradition among the over 21 crowd.
This year, like 2021, Agostini said, the veterans' group is still attempting to recover from the effects of the COVID pandemic which seriously affected many of their members. When COVID precautions cancelled the Fall Festival two years ago, the impact on the group was significant. “They are still trying to catch up,” Agostini said, “although people were really generous last year. I've seen people throw $20 and even $50 bills into the donation jar to help these guys. We support a great many local causes and groups, but this one is probably the one that means the most to me. These guys deserve all the help we can give them.”
Members from the veterans group greet party-goers at the tent entrance both Friday and Saturday night, make sure they are 21 or older, provide the identification bracelets and offer other services at the event.
“We've never had a problem. Never,” said Agostini. Each year, the restaurant funds the entire party, providing the bands, tent, rental chairs and tables, sound system, insurance fees and staffing. None of the cover charge goes to fund any of those expenses but is donated entirely to the veterans group.
The Plymouth-Canton chapter is the only National Vietnam Veterans Organization congressionally chartered and exclusively dedicated to Vietnam era veterans and their families,
Their founding principle is “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another,” and members work to create a new identity for Vietnam veterans and to change public perception of the individuals who served during that war.
Agostini said he, Belli and the entire restaurant staff enjoy the party tent as much as the crowds. “It's just a really great time, and we enjoy it,” he said. “We can have a great time and do some good for guys who really deserve it.”
E.G. Nicks is located at 500 Forest Ave. in Plymouth and the party tent is in the back parking lot. “Just follow the music,” Agostini advised.
