Weekend-long celebration ready for growing Festa Italiana

Get ready to celebrate — and have a taste of — everything Italian.

The Festa Italiana festivities kicked off this morning (July 17) with a proclamation from the city. It was held outside the Dante Club with a large group of volunteers and members on hand.

“This morning, we made sausage porchetta, they’re making desserts in the kitchen,” said Chris Loreto, Dante Club president. “It’s a great weekend for Italian tradition.”

This is the sixth year for the festival, and Loreto says they’re adding something new, with the Stir the Pot Comedy Show set for Thursday, July 18, in the Newmont grand ballroom at 6 p.m.

“It started off as a one-day festival on a Sunday afternoon, and we’ve always added a day and a new event,” he said.

The event is also a chance for the Italian community to celebrate and share their culture, he said, and there are over 50 volunteers on board for the weekend’s events. 

“For those of us with children, it's a great way to share Italian traditions,” he said. 

Friday night, the club invites people to Dine Under the Stars with a full Italian dinner in the Dante Club parking lot, and Loreto said it’s selling out far.

Saturday morning will be il Mercato, where handmade Italian food will be on sale at the Dante Club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“If you want any Italian food, anything Italian, it’s here,” said Loreto.

Saturday night is the Rock the Block concert featuring Thick as Thieves. 

Sunday is the street festival on Cedar Street in front of the Dante Club and includes food, a car show, and music from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It’s the reason for the season,” said Loreto. “It's a great time to mix and mingle.”

Even as this year’s events start, the club is thinking ahead.

“As we’re planning this one, we’re thinking of the next one,” said Loreto.

The festival events include:

• Thursday, July 18

  • 6 p.m. - Stir The Pot Comedy Show in the Newmont Grand Room featuring Paul Giannunzio with headliner Marco Giorgio

• Friday, July 19

  • 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Dine under the Stars, featuring the Dante Club's Festa menu

• Saturday, July 20

  • Il Mercato Dante offers freshly made pastas, sauces, meatballs, and more.

  • 5:30 p.m. to midnight - Cedar Street Concert featuring Thick as Thieves. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $30 for VIPs. Tickets are not available at the door.

• Sunday, July 21
  • 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Festa Italiana street party, free admission
    • Festa Italiana classic car show
    • Performances by the Dante Club Festa Italiana Choir and Paul Sebalj and Friends
    • Fresh made foods 

More information is available on the Porcupine Dante Club website.