Even before you arrive at the Ferragosto Italian Street Festival you begin to see its positive impact on people and community. Colorful green, white and red flags flap lazily from light poles while sharing a soft summer wind with soothing swirling soprano notes letting everyone know it’s that time of year again.
“The Ferragosto has been a wonderful tradition for many years in Utah. It is a great reminder that the Italian community is an important part of our heritage and history,” said Peter Corroon, former Salt Lake County Mayor.
The Utah celebration receives high marks for bringing the public in for an Italian celebration that educates and entertains. Despite the dominant Mormon pioneer history taking center stage, the Italian story is enriching and important.
The Salt Lake City community looks forward to the annual event and local media outlets get in line to broadcast or write about the activities and entertainment. This year a television local station introduced Italian opera, food and history during several “live” segments of their morning show.
“Every parish whose roots are in Italy has contributed significantly to the culture in Utah. The warmth, the hospitality and the joy of being together and celebrating the things Italians are known for. All the parishes display those characteristics. They are impacting the culture.” said St. Ambrose pastor Rev. Andrzej Skrzypiec.
If there is one person who should be acknowledged for the establishment of Ferragosto in Salt Lake City it has to be Jinger LaGuardia. LaGuardia and her husband Ed came up with the idea years ago. Jinger refuses to take any credit but countless volunteers and festival workers say she is the one who made it happen.
“I just believe very strongly that the Italian community must be represented here and we know their contributions and story is compelling. It’s amazing how Utahns embrace the festival and year after year keep coming back.” said LaGuardia.
For over a decade the annual event has presented a slice of Italy for locals and others to sample. A bocce tournament, a wine and beer tasting tent, live music, dancing, art and history displays and Italian food are all available.
“We have historic photos and clippings posted on site during the festival for people to see and read. The reward comes when you see people learning about Italians working the mines and toiling on the railroad to help settle this part of America. Utah has a beautiful pioneer story and the Mormons lead the way telling it. We are proud to bring our chapter forward and promote real education.” LaGuardia said.
The music lineup at Ferragosto offers everything from Frank Sinatra songs to classic pieces like “Vissi d’arte” from the opera Tosca by Giacomo Puccini.
“We find our audience grows as our show progresses throughout the evening showing that we have captivated them with this educational entertainment. They hear a variety of music. Some of our audience members are wowed and comment on the powerful and highly skilled operatic voices while others tell us how much they love and enjoy the “Frank Sinatra” type songs.” said professional singer Lynnette Owens.
Owens stunning stage show captured the festival audience and brought on cheers of Brava amid enthusiastic applause. She has performed operatic roles in Rome on two occasions and her musical trajectory includes teaching music.
“She is a bit of a creative genius, and has a unique set of gifts and talents. I think of her as a bit of a miracle worker. After many months and years of thought, through researching Utah’s Italian history, the thought of the Ferragosto was born. Utah needed an Italian festival to join and celebrate its Italian heritage and to share its culture with the state. And in August 2003, that dream was born. From there, the rest is history. It’s been an amazing and successful vision.” said daughter Gena Persinger LaGuardia.
One of the favorite things for patrons of the festival revolves around the food. The lines may be long for the food vendors but the wait is worth it. There’s always plenty of pizza, calamari, spaghetti and meatballs plus an assortment of beverages.
The festival even boasts about its own dessert queen. It’s Rosalie Mirabelli who has been volunteering her kitchen talents for eleven years. She serves up anything you might order from an Italian menu and does it with a bubbly personality.
“We make cannoli and Italian sodas and many, many more Italian goodies. I try to get involved with the kitchen cooking but too many good cooks in an Italian kitchen would be crazy, because we all love to cook! And my sauce is the best!” said a smiling Mirabelli.
Mirabelli serves on the Women’s Italian American League board, Catholic Woman’s League and the Salt Lake Council of Women.
“They also support the festival in many ways,” added Mirabelli about the organizations.
The early years of Ferragosto in Salt Lake City were fun but cumbersome. It required blocking a portion of a city street and scattering vendors and activities in different directions. Organizers wanted a cozy, all inclusive feel to the festival and knew there was a better place out there somewhere. They found it.
St. Ambrose Chapel has now hosted the festival for three years and the feedback is quite positive. Several other catholic parishes lean towards other cultures so this was the place for the Italians to celebrate and demonstrate what they are all about. Cultural diversity and the Italian namesake on the place of worship made it a perfect fit.
Saint Ambrose was a fourth century Bishop in Milan and one of the four original doctors of the Catholic Church. Tours of St. Ambrose were also available during the festival weekend.
Monies raised during the festival help maintain the parish along with ongoing education and refugee programs.
At a small folding table for the Carmelite Monastery volunteers sell books, tee-shirts and candies for the nuns. Though the cloistered sisters are not able to attend they see the festival as an important connection to people.
Prayers from the nuns, spectacular entertainment, dedicated workers like Jinger LaGuardia and a chance to enjoy a meal with friends and family are all good reasons people flock to St. Ambrose Church. Attendance numbers are strong and Ferragosto Utah style moves on into the future with a positive vibe.
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