An annual tradition in Watkins Glen won't be happening this summer. The committee that operates the Watkins Glen Italian American Festival announced on its Facebook page that it has postponed the event until 2025. The committee says it has received community feedback about a lack of rides; they say this year they have been unable to obtain an amuse...

The Township of Nutley Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a permit for the Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day & Italian Heritage Month Parade Committee to hold raffles during the annual Pasta Dinner Fundraiser. The annual event will be held Sunday, March 3, 2024 at Nutley Parks and Recreation, 44 Park Ave. from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Organizers desc...

The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival hosted a wine tasting fundraiser on Saturday, January 27th. This is one of several fundraisers held by the organization that helps pay for the big event. WVIHF Board of Directors member Marsha Viglianco says the money raised helps them put on an event that makes the community happy. “The Italian Festival...

To say that Carnevale has deep historical roots is something shared by most celebrations in Italy, but the traditional costumes and extravagant parades put the Carnival season in a league of its own. The festival comes with a rich history, which is reflected in the impressive public displays that will return to Florence following a four-year pause...

Columbus Day and Veterans Day will no longer be days off for Stamford students after a vote by the Board of Education Tuesday night. Both days, which are currently days off from school in Stamford, had been proposed as in-school days last year as well. But after push-back from local veterans and Italian-Americans, both remained untouched.  Neither...

Rarely do you hear the words “snake” and “festival” used together, but in one Italian village, the two have more in common than meets the eye. Cocullo, in the Abruzzo region, uniquely comes to life every year on the first of May. It’s the day when the village hosts its peculiar and fascinating Serpari Festival. In a celebration like no other, serpe...

The Fiera di Sant’Orso in Aosta is a centuries-old tradition that celebrates the region’s rich craftsmanship and folklore. It is held annually on January 30th and 31st and is one of the most important events in the Aosta Valley’s calendar. The event traces its origins back to over a millennium ago — the fair’s first documented mention dates to 1000...

You may know her from the “scandalous” Sicilian dessert, or at least have seen it in photos. Small mounds, covered in a layer of sugary, white marzipan and adorned with a candied cherry on top. It’s also popular in iconic religious imagery, with a painting revealing the saint who is holding a pair of cakes on a plate. Some say these mini cassate re...

Ivrea is a small town at the foot of the Piedmont Alps. Located a 40-minute drive from Turin, the city is famous for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the glorious history of the Olivetti factory, but even more so for its characteristic Carnival. The Historic Carnival of Ivrea is the oldest historical carnival in Italy, dating back to th...

An explosion of colors with confetti, masks, parades, floats and cheer. The Carnival in Italy is a unique experience, which has its roots in the Middle Ages (about VIII century) and has taken on different nuances in each region over the centuries. In addition to the most typical and characteristic costumes, also gastronomic specialties are a must y...