Holy Rosary Parish, Ansonia, will sponsor its 44th annual Italian Festival Aug. 4 through 6, from 5 – 10 p.m.
Festa! 2011, the most popular ethnic event in the greater Valley area, is a celebration of Italian heritage. The festival takes place on the church grounds that were once the site of a large and vibrant Italian enclave of Powe St. during the early 1900’s.
Festival visitors may enjoy freshly prepared Italian food delicacies such as porchetta, soffrito, pasta e fagioli, ziti with broccoli and garlic, fried calimari, sausage and pepper subs, zeppole, gelato and the Festa! 2011 signature dish, pizza fritta (fried dough pizza).
Ron Balabon, festival chair, says that “we prepare all of the food ourselves, we use no outside food vendors. It’s really not a big effort for us to cook for the festival crowds because our cooks come from large Italian families, so for them it’s not difficult to cook for a few thousand extra!” Ron adds that “ we take pride in providing a safe family atmosphere where our guests can relax and enjoy an evening of fun in Little Italy in Ansonia. We look forward to an exciting festival”.
Festa! 2011 features live entertainment each evening with, of course, an Italian flavor.
Special musical entertainment is featured each night beginning at 5 pm with local favorite Tony Santoli.
Great Italian singers, I’Liguri , headline Thursday evening’s entertainment. Friday is special with a performance by local favorite and award winning Mark Lanzieri and Friends. Headlining Saturday’s entertainment is a festival favorite returning to our stage, The Angie Rubino Band. Angie features Italian and American classics and modern pop. Music continues all night until closing.
Festa! 2011 has a great midway from Rainbow Amusements with carnival rides for children. Thursday August 4 is bracelet night. Children can ride all night with the purchase of a $20 ride bracelet. Games of skill for kids, and an exciting game of chance for adults, Blower Ball, and the ever popular Fishin’ Hole for small children where everyone is a winner, round out the carnival activities. Scupine the Clown will stroll the festival entertaining the kids and making a general nuisance of himself. An Italian Marketplace sells Italian gifts, t‑shirts, aprons and more. Shop early for birthdays and Christmas!
Admission is free.
The grounds are flat and paved providing easy access for everyone. Festa! 2011 is held at Holy Rosary Church, Father Salemi Drive, Ansonia, right behind the Big Y Supermarket downtown Ansonia.
For security purposes the festival committee and the Ansonia police department remind visitors that coolers are not allowed on the festival grounds.
For additional information click here for the Festa! 2011 website.
