Ethnic Festa Italiana Milwaukee WI
Italian Festival on Summerfest Grounds on Lake Front in Wisconsin
Festa Italiana on the Summerfest grounds in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin celebrates Italian culture and food from July 17 - 20, 2008. The festival is held on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, at the Henry Maier Festival Park, commonly referred to as the Summerfest Grounds.
The ethnic Italian festival is for everyone, Italian roots or not. This year is the 31st annual Festa Italiana. Festa Italiana is Milwaukee is considered the premiere Italian cultural event in America.
Fireworks Every Night of the Festival
Festa Italiana is a four day event. Every night of the festival there will be fireworks lighting up the sky at 10:15 pm. The Sunday night fireworks display promises to be the most spectacular of the four nights of pyrotechnics.
Catholic Mass on Sunday Morning
On Sunday there is a traditional Catholic Mass and Procession at 11 am, Mass attendees are invited to stay and enjoy free admission to Festa Italiana on Sunday after Mass.
Featured Attractions at Festa Italiana
Daily attractions during the four day Italian festival feature special interest and the arts. Following is some of the scheduled entertainment. The attractions are the same each day,. Times of exhibits may change.
- Pompeii Church Art Exhibit is a display of religious artifacts and vintage photo collections.
- Michelangelo's Pieta is a rare bronze cast of the original masterpiece sculpture at the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome.
- Golden Age of Opera.The Dominic Frinzi Memorial Opera Exhibit is a salute to the most famous of Italy's singers, composers and conductors. This will include a salute to Mario Lanza by his son, Damon Lanza.
- St. Valerie. The Mosaic St. Valerie, while is 6 feet wide and 11 feet high will be exhibited. St. Valerie was originally displayed at the Vatican.
- Public Bocce - Bowling on the Green.
- Vintage Photo Collection. The collection includes religious artifacts. Many of the artifacts are from the Blessed Virgin of Pompeii Church.
- Cucina Showcase presented by DaVinci Italian Foods.
- Potawatomi Bingo Roadshow.
Multiple Stages of Great Entertainment Every Day
Stages of entertainment offer a great variety of music, dancing and fun. The four stages are Miller Lite Oasis Stage, national City stage, U.S. Cellular Connection Stage, National City Stage, Palermo's Pizza Stage and TJ Bartolotta Festa Stage.
Joe Piscopo will be on the Miller Lite Oasis Stage on Thursday and Friday. Good Intentions will be on National City Stage Thursday and Sunday, Tom Anthony Band will be on U.S. Cellular Connection Stage on Thursday and Sunday. Pat McCurdy will be on the Miller Lite Oasis Stage on Thursday and Sunday.
Booze Brothers will be featured on the U.S. Cellular Stage on Friday and Saturday. Doo Wop Daddies will be on the Miller Lite Stage on Friday and Saturday, Jay & The Americans will be on the Miller Lite Stage on Saturday and Sunday. Cold Sweat and Brew City Horn will be on National City Stage on Friday and Saturday.
The stages of entertainment feature a variety of daily entertainment. Performers include: Festa Regional Renaissance Dancers, Elegant Gypsies, Dance Studio, Johnny Maggio and Jack Miuccio, Christina Luna, Franco Corso, Raymond Suntino, Faina Bursuk with East Town Ballroom Dance, Gail Valenti, Gruppo Teatro Angrogna direct from Italy, Joe Zarcone Trio, Dick and Deidre Contino, Lorio and Sandra Mandella and San LcCricchio, Ronnis Fiorentino, Hadley Band, Natalie Pinto, Julian Sage Miyata, Peter Guerin, Moreno Fruzzetti, Festa Regional Dancers, The Tenor's 3, Tony Spavone, Gene Ferrari, Stella Raimondi & Enzo Scarano, Tradizional Vivente Dancers, Aaron Caruso, John Truncali, Giada Valenti, Italian Idol, Oldies But Goodies, Matt Morgan, Deana Martin, Four Aces, Joe Piscopo, Good Intentions, The Rat Pack, Tom Anthony Band and Pat McCurdy.
Food and Beverages at Festa Italiana
Italian's are known for their delicious cooking. There will be 40 vendors serving a variety of great Italian and Sicilian food. Food vendors include: Angelo's Pizza, Aveni's Italian Catering, Buca di Beppo, Catalano Fruit, Cataldo's, Dolly's Italian Beef, Famous Dave's Festa Sausage, Filippo's Pizza, Gelateria Italiana, Italian Sno, John Hawks Pub, Johnny V's Classic Cafe, Libiamo's Restaurant, Mama Angie's Italian Deli, Nino's Italian Bakery, Palermo Pizza, Pietor's Pizza, Pitche's, Saz's Festival, Scardina Bakery, Peter Sciortino Bakery, Sil's Mini Donuts, Ultimate Confections, Venice Club Festivals, Water Street Brewery.
There is an abundance of delicious foods at Festa Italiana. For those who get thirsty, refreshing beverages include Margaritas, Martini's Beer, Wine and non0alcoholic beverages
Admission & Tickets
Tickets to Festa Italiana are $12 at the gate. Advance tickets are discounted to $10. Special promotional offers on specified days are available through U.S.Cellular,, Palermo's Pizza , DaVinci Italian Foods, Potoawatomi Casino and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. See the Festa Italiana web site for details.
For additional Milwaukee travel information, read: Top Hotels Downtown Milwaukee, WI and Ethnic Restaurants Milwaukee Wisconsin
