It started early in the morning. Then apparently, wouldn’t stop or even let up. The official start time was 10:00 AM but no matter. The onslaught kept on coming and from all over.
You couldn’t ask for a better day. The weather provided the perfect backdrop with sunny, bright blue skies as Italian food with inviting aromas accompanied by joyous Italian music permeated the air.
More than 100,000 visitors were expected to attend the 19th annual Little Italy Festa this past Sunday, October 13. Attendance appeared to be up from last year judging by the sheer number of people that swarmed Little Italy’s main thoroughfare on India Street from Ash to Grape Streets and along adjoining neighboring streets.
About one hundred and forty-five vendors participated in the event. Many merchandise booths flanked established neighborhood eateries who served food through booths located in the front or within close proximity of the participating restaurant.
Local chefs delighted audiences with live cooking demonstrations held at different times throughout the day on the Cooking Stage. Top notch chefs included Chef Fabrizio Cavallini from Bencotto/Monello, Chef David Petrini from Petrini’s, Chef Danilo Tangalin from Prep Kitchen Little Italy, and Chef de Cuisine Chris Vera Tudela from Davanti Enoteca.
The famous Italian Chalk or Gesso Italiano stretched 63 chalk paintings measuring 8’ x 8’ along four city blocks along Date Street from India Street all the way up to Amici Park to Front Street. This year’s theme was to depict Italy or Italian-American culture. Artists were entered into a chalk contest that was split into two divisions: students and adults. Judges consisted of local gallery owners Perry Meyer of Meyer Fine Art and Jennifer DiCarlo of JDC Fine Art both located in the historical Studio Arts Building on Kettner Blvd. The winner for best artwork was awarded to Chris Brake by the Judge’s Choice.
Meanwhile, other winners were Mount Miguel High School voted the winner by the Judge’s Choice of Schools and Jennifer Chaparro voted the winner by the People’s Choice.
Several events occurred throughout the day like the bocce ball tournament at Amici Park and a stickball exhibition game that was featured along Columbia Street between Cedar and Beech. Around the corner on Beech and Columbia Street was the Italian Motorsport Show featuring cars and motorbikes and across from that was the Kids’ Fun Zone that included inflatables, face painting, and balloon art. A beer and wine garden and a pizza tossing contest were also featured.
Italian-American organizations UNICO, House of Italy, Italian Cultural Center, and Italian American Golf Association were greeting visitors to their booths providing information promoting Italian-American culture.
With three sound stages there was no shortage of music and talented artists that performed on the different stages throughout the day. Artists included Cristina Fontanelli, David Patrone, Pizarro Brothers, Pietro Rizzi, Gilbert Gauthier, Allison Adams Tucker, Franco Z & Zbop, John Torres, Todd Mundo, and Smilin’ Jack.
Entertainment headliners featured, Oh What a Night, a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, who performed the music of the Jersey Boys with classics like, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Walk Like a Man”, and “Sherry” to name a few. People were literally dancing in the streets as they brought down both the sky and the event to a close in climatic fashion.
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