Forum Lodge #391, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, is hosting the 32nd celebration of Newport, Rhode Island’s Italian culture and heritage. The series of events begins with two features at the Vasco da Gama Hall in Newport.
On Friday, September 25, with the lodge’s annual John Panaggio Original Ziti Night, a fundraiser that benefits the Anna M. Ripa Memorial Scholarship Fund. The awards are given to graduating seniors of Italian heritage. For ticket information, call or text 401-662-7543.
On Saturday, October 3, the Festival on the Lawn will feature Italian foods, including doughboys, cookies and coffees, raffle baskets, Italian novelties, and activities for the children. Elmo will visit during the event, which lasts from 11 am to 4 pm. This is a “rain or shine” event, as all the activities may move into the hall, including the band Calabria Bella. Vasco da Gama Hall is located at 15 Fenner Avenue, Newport, RI 02840.
Columbus Day, which falls on Monday, October 12, will begin with a Mass in memory of the deceased members of the Italian-American community of Aquidneck Island, at 10:30 am at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Broadway at Mann Avenue, Newport. At 11:30 am, Forum members will hold a wreath laying ceremony at the Columbus monument on Memorial Boulevard at Bellevue Avenue. Following a brief ceremony, a Columbus Day luncheon will take place at Sardella’s Italian Restaurant, 30 Memorial Boulevard West. Calabria Bella will perform. For luncheon ticket information, call or text 401-378-7554.
Friday, September 16, will mark the end of the heritage celebration with a concert featuring Steven Palumbo, a well-known singer and entertainer, at the John Clarke Room at the Wyndham Hotel, 240 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown. The proceeds will benefit the Sen. John O. Pastore Cultural Travel Scholarships, which give Aquidneck Island high school students the opportunity to visit Imperia, Newport’s Sister City in Italy. For concert ticket information, call or text 401-662-7169.
