After the overwhelming success of last year, the Italian-American Civic League is set to hold their second annual Festa Italiana, September 17-18. Located in the expansive plaza of The Gateway, the festival promises to expose locals to rich Italian culture with over a dozen food vendors from across Salt Lake Valley. Attendees can enjoy the culinary diversity of Italy with a cool treat from Sweetaly Gelato, one of the award-winning dishes from Caputo’s Market and Deli or fine food from several other authentic Italian vendors.
“After visiting Italian festivals in some of the great cities across the country, our organization wanted to bring Italian culture, food and entertainment to the people of Salt Lake,” said festival director Nick Fuoco. “It is our goal to give a little taste of what we know as Italian-Americans to everyone who attends the festival.”
Italian music and art will also be celebrated, with local musicians performing like Marco Calliari and The Joe Muscolino Band. A variety of activities are available for all interests and abilities, including arts and crafts, an Italian car show and a spaghetti eating contest. The festival promises to be an authentic Italian street festival that is welcome to all.
The festival will run from 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Sunday. Free of admission and open to the public, a portion of the festival’s proceeds will go to support Catholic Community Services. For additional information, visit www.festaitalianaslc.com.
-Brieanna Olds
