SHARING TRADITIONS AND CREATING MEMORIES WITH THE COMMUNITY FOR 14 YEARS
Jupiter, FL- (September 14, 2016) The 14th Annual Feast of Little Italy presented by Arrigo Fiat of West Palm seeks to unify the community again. This November as Americans prepare to vote, the Feast of Little Italy organizers would like to remind people that Abacoa will be the place where we can all come together and be one big family. Created on the values of family, friends, food, music, and culture, the Feast of Little Italy has become an annual tradition for South Florida. Putting aside all of the politics that divide us, come November 4, 5, and 6th to experience and create memories with family and friends while enjoying authentic Italian food, entertainment, festival rides, games, bocce and more. For generations families have been coming to the Feast, now in its 14th year Jerry Somma, Feast president says “This is a special year, we are coming together to celebrate passion; passion for family, friends, music, and heritage and right now our country feels a sense of passion. Regardless of your party preference, we say come together this weekend and be Italian and there is no challenge too big that a good cannoli can’t solve.”
Entertainment
This year’s entertainment will celebrate Italian and Italian American artists throughout the weekend appearing on the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center stage. Headlining this year’s Feast will be Salvatore Valentinetti (Heidi Klum’s golden buzzer) a finalist on NBC’s 2016 America’s Got Talent. This young crooner will seduce the audience with his smooth vocals from Dean Martin to Frank Sinatra Friday night. This year’s Grand Marshall, the one and only, Joe Piscopo an actor, singer, musician and comedian most known from Saturday Night Live, will perform on Saturday night, it’s a show filled with music and laughs. The legendary Tommy Mara and The Crests featuring his big band will close out the Feast. As a tradition every year the crowd gets bigger to hear Tommy Mara (known as The Pavarotti of Doo Wop) hit high falsetto notes from “Cara Mia,” “The Angels Listened In,” the hit “16 Candles,” and many more. Feast favorites will also include local romantic performer Franco Corso and the classically trained Elio Scaccio with their silky smooth vocals, they will have the audience in the palm of their hands with their classic Italian songs. Then, it’s time to get down with daughter of Italian immigrants, Maria De Crescenzo who tours with KC and the Sunshine Band, and has for the past twenty years as a backup vocalist will make her Feast debut.
Food and Wine Seminars
Each year national and local chef’s come out to the Feast and instruct the public on how to cook a specialty dish. In the Galbani cheese cooking pavilion free cooking demonstrations are offered. Galbani cheese has crafted the finest Italian cheese for over 100 years. The cooking pavilion will be filled with nationally known chefs most notably, Marco Sciortino from the hit TV show “Come Dine With Me”, local celebrity cook Virginia Sinicki from the KVJ show on 97.9 WRMF, and chefs from the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center will be serving up some light options to taste. Chef Nina Tomasik of Nina’s Bakery will be showing off her talents of creating art on dessert and cakes. Come get a taste of Italy throughout the weekend. Seminars will be held Friday 5pm-7pm, Saturday at noon, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm and Sunday noon, 2pm and 4pm. To compliment the palate of food, Voga Italia is the proud wine sponsor celebrating ten years of taste and style. Their collection ranges from white to red, and sparkling to sweet. Join us as world renowned wine connoisseur Anthony Acampa takes you on a journey with your palate. Free wine demonstrations will be held Friday at 6pm, Saturday at 3pm, 5pm, and 7pm and Sunday at1pm and 3pm.
Food
With every step you take in Abacoa, there will be a food vendor serving up an authentic dish; from pasta, pizza, and sausage and peppers to shrimp scampi and pinwheels to much more. The aroma of Italy will surround you and every bite will keep you hungry for more. Come get a taste from dishes from both south and northern Italy ranging from, seafood pescatore, calamari, antipasto platters, Italian mac and cheese balls, fried raviolis and Italian Chicago beef fried calzones. Then, don’t miss all of the Italian dessert with homemade zeppola’s, sfogliatella, and cannolis. Joseph’s Classic Market will be on site selling their homemade products and cooking up some of the area’s local favorites. If Italian food is what you love, then sign up for the Costello’s pizza and lasagna eating contests led by radio personalities Virginia Sinicki and Jason Pennington from the KVJ Show on 97.9 WRMF.
Tradition/Culture
The Italian culture is all around you at the Feast, it’s not just about what you are eating but what you can enjoy and to share in the Italian traditions with your family, friends and neighbors. Peppino is the strolling accordion player (accordion was first produced in Italy in the 1860’s) and he will remind you that the cheerful sounds have been heard for generations as he plays classic Italian music. Bocce ball was first played in Ancient Rome and at the Feast there are courts available for the public to give it a try. The Italian folk dance known as “Tarantella” will be taught in front of the stage immediately following performances from the Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts on Saturday and Sunday. A Feast must is to shop and explore all of the vendors selling Italian garb from T-shirts and Italian jewelry to home must have’s for every kitchen.
Family Fun
After eating all you can eat, the children’s area will be ready for you. Filled with thrilling festival rides and prize winning games, the Feast will create memorable moments to share. Then, bring your kids to get their faces painted and watch them smile.
Charity
Little Smiles is the official charity of the Feast of Little Italy. Little Smiles will be on site raising awareness with kids activities as well as accepting donations. This is a volunteer driven, non-profit 501(c) 3 children’s charity. Their mission is to help heal hearts and create little smiles by providing gifts and fun activities to children impacted by serious illness, homelessness or tragedy. With the guidance of local professionals such as doctors, nurses, child life specialists and social workers, we strive to help kids escape their unfortunate circumstances, even if only for a short period of time.
About the Feast of Little Italy:
Fifteen years ago we started with a vision to create an experience rich in Italian culture. We look to celebrate the contributions of great Italians through food, music, art and tradition. Today as we stay dedicated to encouraging the importance of family and community we hope to stay mindful of the hardships that our ancestors endured in migrating to this great country. We can only hope to continue creating memorable moments together as we share in the passion of all that is a part of our Italian – American Heritage.
Calendar Listing:
The 14th Annual Feast of Little Italy presented by Arrigo Fiat West Palm- November 4-6, 2016 (Friday 3pm-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, and Sunday 10am-8pm) at Abacoa. The three-day family Italian street festival will have national entertainment, authentic food, festival rides and games, free wine and cooking demonstrations and lots more. Admission is $7.00, discounted multiple day passes are available. Children 12 & under are free and there is free parking. www.feastoflittleitaly.com