Though postponed twice by the pandemic, the 20th Longmeadow UNICO Food and Wine Tasting will finally take place this coming Saturday, April 23, and club members promise the event will be the best yet. The organization’s largest annual fundraiser is set for 7 to 9 p.m. on Center Court at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

It will feature more than a dozen varieties of wine provided by M.S. Walker Distributors, an expanded lineup of dishes from more than 20 local restaurants and bakeries, beer from four Massachusetts microbreweries and spirits from regional distilleries.

“Our event has gotten better and better over the years, and we wouldn’t want anything less than to celebrate our 20th by making it the best ever,” Longmeadow UNICO President Dennis Scibelli said. “We’re going to have more room for patrons in the concourse area of the Hall of Fame, and our food and beverage lineup will include a lot of favorites as well as several new restaurants and bakeries that people will love.”

The event is dedicated to the memory of longtime UNICO member and benefactor Frank Langone, who passed away in 2021. “Frank is very deserving of special recognition – he made our wine tasting special over the years with generous donations of centerpieces from his flower shop,” Scibelli said. The new owners of Frank Langone Florist will continue that generosity by providing centerpieces at the 20th anniversary Food and Wine Tasting.

Included in the $40 ticket price, along with samples of food and beverages, is free parking and admission to the remodeled Basketball Hall of Fame’s exhibits, which include a new tribute to Los Angeles Lakers great and Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant. Tickets are sold at the door, or in advance by contacting Jim Maiolo at 413-374-1548.

The Food and Wine Tasting will also feature a silent auction with a chance to win great items including golf outings.

Scibelli said M.S. Walker Distributors has partnered with Longmeadow UNICO to provide all the wine at the event since its inception in 2001. Also on tap is beer from Berkshire Brewing Company, Iron Duke Brewing, Mayflower Brewing Company and Scantic River Brewery. Litchfield Distillery returns with gin and vodka samples, and new this year are rum and bourbon from Mad River Distillery and tastings from Downeast Cider. Music will be provided by the 1220 Trio. The new food vendors are 3 Guys at The Grille at Wilbraham Country Club, Armata’s Market and Catering, Christopher’s Tavern, Jackalope Restaurant and Hot Oven Cookies.

Since it was chartered in October 2000, the Longmeadow Chapter of UNICO National has raised funds to benefit programs for educational scholarships, mental health, community support and Italian culture. The chapter has used these funds to provide multiple scholarships each June to graduating high school seniors, support other organizations such as Fun and Fitness and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, provide donations to the Open Pantry as well as funds to support disaster relief efforts and host community service events.

UNICO National is the largest Italian-American service organization in the United States. Its motto is “Service Above Self.” The club’s name, translated from Italian, means “one” or “only” or “only one of its kind.” Additionally, the letters are interpreted as U-unity N-neighborliness I-integrity C-charity O-opportunity.