The Holy Rosary parish in Ansonia is sponsoring its 45th annual Italian Festival tonight and tomorrow (Aug. 3 and Aug. 4) from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the church grounds on Father Salemi Drive in downtown Ansonia.
The festival is a celebration of Italian heritage as the church recalls its roots as an immigrant parish in the early 1900’s.
The current church (and festival) is located in the old Powe Street neighborhood that once housed a vibrant Italian enclave from 1900 to the flood redevelopment of the 1960’s.
The festival features freshly prepared Italian foods such as soffrito, lasagna al forno, porchetta, pizza fritta, fried calamari and more.
All food items are freshly prepared in the parish hall kitchen by parishioners each day. The recipes used are established, tried-and-true and finished with love.
Special dessert items are Italian pastry treats like cannoli’s and sfogliatelle. The festival also featured gelato made by the award-winning Gelato Giuliana of New Haven.
The festival also features live musical entertainment.
Friday features the high energy sound of Head Over Heels and Saturday The Groove Time Band makes its Festa! debut.
Rainbow Amusements provides rides for the children. Visitors can try their hands at the games of skill and games of chance. An Italian Marketplace will sell Italian gifts and novelties ideal for the holidays.
The festival is located on flat, paved grounds providing easy access for everyone.
Admission is free so bring a chair and enjoy!
More information is available at www.holyrosaryfestival.com.
