In yet another sign that we’re in summer’s winding-down period, Festa Italiana returns this weekend, Sept. 8-10, to close the book on what’s considered the city’s modern ethnic festival lineup. The first Festa took place back in 1978, when members of Milwaukee’s Italian community revived the traditional neighborhood festivals that started in the early 1900s.

The event was held at Henry Maier Festival Park up until last year, when it moved just down the block to the Italian Community Center (ICC) on East Chicago Street. While the location has changed, much of what marked the initial festival still remains today, including the Sunday procession and mass, which this year is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Sunday in the ICC’s Grand Ballroom.