L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 7 The 23rd Annual Festa Italiana celebrated Italian wine, food and music The tents are down, the stage is packed away and the piazza transitions back to Pioneer Courthouse Square. For 23 years Festa Italiana has welcomed thousands of people to celebrate Italian American culture in Portland, Oregon. This year, the festa filled the Square on August 21, 22 and 23. The first night of Festa Italiana featured "Italian Opera in the Piazza," performed by opera students from Portland State University. The crowd enjoyed several opera selections during the warm summer evening per- formance. Next on stage were Elio Scaccio and then Joe De Gennaro singing Italian classics and favorites. Closing out the night was Ray Massa's EuroRhythms. Their high-energy performances get the crowds to their feet and make them a Festa favorite. Several events took place on the second day of the Festa. The annual Pizza Toss, Grape Stomp Competition, and Cooking Demonstration entertained the crowds. New this year was the first annual Cannoli Eating Contest. Six brave souls faced ten cannoli each and after a valiant six-minute competition, Michael Farley of the Paesano Club was crowned the winner. For the youngest generations, one of the highlights of the Festa is the Carter Family Marionettes. Every year they travel from Seattle to entertain and amaze old and young alike with their mari- onettes. This year they per- formed "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" in their puppet the- ater. The final day of the Festa was on a Saturday and generally draws the largest crowds. Hundreds of people came back to hear their favorite music and eat something they missed the previ- ous day. Several local Italian restaurants and vendors served Italian porchetta, rigatoni all'arrabbiata, lasagna, pizza, ver- dure fritte, frittate, focaccia, and so much more. Many try the gelato, cannoli, tiramisu or maybe a little Italian ice for dessert. Peroni beer, San Pellegrino water and sodas, and over two dozen Italian wines made the meals complete. The goal of the Festa Italiana is to bring people together and have a great time celebrating the countless contributions Italians have made to America and the world. Italians have a rich histo- ry of gathering in the piazza, going on a passeggiata, or cele- brating with a festa. I am happy to say that our crowd gathered, strolled, celebrated and had a fan- tastic time at the 23rd Festa Italiana Portland! Planning for Festa 2015 has already begun. A small group of dedicated volunteers works very hard through the year planning Festa Italiana, the Italian Mass, the bocce tournament, Italian movie night and the annual Columbus Day Dinner and Dance (coming up on October 18th). Mille grazie to the 200-plus volunteers, sponsors, vendors and the thousands of people that sup- port and attend Festa Italiana each year. (Photos by Dorcas Herr) MICHAEL sCIARAFFO The next generation of beautiful young Italians celebrating their rich heritage during Festa Italiana Pina Di Rosa serenaded the crowds with beautiful folk songs from Napoli A perfect weekend for eating pizza and watching an expert toss the dough What would a Festa be without an accordion? This one courtesy of Ray Massa's EuroRhythms. Chef Renato Solpietro quickly won everyone's heart....and appetite! The music at the Festa gets even the smallest feet dancing! The Carter Family Marionettes from Seattle, always a favorite with the younger crowd. Michael Farley of the Paesano Club is the winner of the first Cannoli Eating Contest

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