One of the youngest Italian festivals in Northern California, the Morgan Hill Italian Harvest Festa has once again drawn record crowds to the beautiful Uesugi Farms location in Morgan Hill.
According to festa director Jim Di Vittorio, the focus of the festa has always been on the community and family, but there was also plenty of entertainment both days, as well as arts and crafts, and of course, delicious Italian food and desserts.
While adults tried their hand playing bocce ball, activities for children this year included the Pumpkinville Train ride, face painting, and the always popular Fratello Marionettes.
Italian food is always an important part at every Italian celebration, and the Harvest Festa provided Italian sausage and pepper sandwiches, fresh ravioli, calamari, scampi, pizza, bruschetta, cannoli and many more traditional Italian favorites.
L’Italo-Americano spoke with the Entertainment Director for the Festa, Judy Verona Joseph of Primo Public Relations. She explained that, “The atmosphere at the Uesugi Farms is wonderful, despite the hot weather. One of the favorite attractions this year is the Pumpkinville Railroad, a train that goes all around the farm and park. The charming ride takes you on a trip throughout the farm. Families, and in particular children, love riding on the train.”
Concerning the all day live entertainment program, Judy Verona continues: “This year’s entertainment line-up is fantastic with stars Matt Helm as Dean Martin, and Rick Ellis singing Frank Sinatra as the headliners. The other performers on Saturday are S. V. Accordion Club, Mark Russo & The Classy Cats, Rene Sevieri, an acordionist from San Francisco, and the Joe DiVittorio Band. Sunday is time to dance with the Borelli Italian Band playing all of the Italian favorites such as Mambo Italiano and more, the Fratello Marionettes, and The Patty Kistner Band.”
Long-time performer in the Italian community Ron Borelli, virtuoso accordion player, has built himself quite a career playing at festivals, hotels, and concerts. He has performed engagements such as the San Francisco Opera, the San Francisco Symphony and more. Together with his sister Carole Borelli, vocalist and lead singer of the band, and with their cousin Gary Silvestri on the drums, they form a great family trio playing all classic Italian favorites.
Ron has performed in Ancona, Italy for the International Accordion Festival, appeared with the San Francisco Symphony, performed on stage with the San Francisco Opera, and was the accordionist for the Three Tenors in their 1999 Bay Area concert.
He plays annually for the Las Vegas International Accordion Convention. Other symphonic performances include the Berkeley Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Diablo Ballet and San Jose Symphonic Choir. His band also performs with the Dick Contino Show.
New to the festa this year was accordionist Rene Sevierit. From the streets of North Beach in San Francisco, his singing and accordion playing are deeply rooted in his Italian heritage, and has been entertaining the Italian community since the age of twelve.
A favorite every year was the Joe Di Vittorio band. They have quite a following in the community and everyone loves to dance to their music. Finally, a successful return to the festa was Mark Russo and the Classy Cats, who made everyone put on dancing shoes, getting up and moving, before the long awaited classic of Frank Sinatra (Rick Ellis) and Dean Martin (Matt Helm).
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