by Judy Bergeron

They're going regional. After a challenge three years ago from Mayor Kip Holden, the Greater Baton Rouge American Italian Association is working to expand its annual Italian Heritage Festa beyond the community. "He (Holden) said, 'We would like this to be bigger than Baton Rouge,'" festa co-chairman Frank Arrigo says.

To that end, more than 50 representatives of the Italian American Heritage Society of Birmingham, Alabama, and 30 members of Shreveport's Sons of Italy are confirmed for Sunday's celebration at the Belle of Baton Rouge Atrium. With the high temperature expected to reach 99, festa officials are stressing that the atrium is air-conditioned.

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Source: http://theadvocate.com/