Festa Italiana denied spot on Naperville events calendar

Feb 09, 2018 907

Naperville City Council members rejected a request to add a three-day Italian festival at Naper Settlement to the 2018 events schedule amid questions about the city-funded museum's purpose and the event application process. The council was asked Tuesday to reopen the special events calendar, which was finalized in November, to accommodate Festa Italiana, proposed for August on Settlement grounds at 523 S. Webster St. The calendar lists events expected to draw big crowds and require city resources.

Festa Italiana is a "niche event that is a little more upscale," John Barry, owner and CEO of Star Events, told the council. Proposed for Aug. 3-5, the fest would focus on Italian food and entertainment and include cooking demonstrations from chefs around the Midwest, Barry said. "Italian food, I'm all in, but we have processes and we have to draw the line somewhere so we can plan the next year ahead," Councilman John Krummen said. "You came in after the close of the process. I'd love for you to come next year, but this year the process is closed."

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SOURCE: http://www.chicagotribune.com

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