Italian Festival to Transform Downtown Southington

Over a decade ago, lower Center Street had a thriving community full of many Italian families that became the backbone of town.

The area will transform into a little Italy of sorts once again during the seventh annual Italian American Festival slated for July 29 to 31.

The festival will feature all that is Italy, giving guests a taste of Italian food, entertainment, religious tradition and family fun.

"It's going to be a great festival, it seems to get bigger and better every year," festival co-chairman Joseph Laporte said.

Music will be a continual part of the three-day event, with Italian and American bands, children singers and local talents performing while visitors feast on culture.

The event will kick off Friday at 5 p.m., July 29, with entertainment like the Sounds of Frank, a six-piece band followed by Marcello Sparagna at 9 p.m. Young talent like Charlie Tierman will perform solos, followed up by a soulful performance by Walter Martin.

Other talents like the Apple Harvest Festival's 'Southington Icon' contest winner Jillian Caluetee will perform, as well as singers like Angelo Ruggiero and Petere Massaro, dazzling audiences by singing in Italian.

"We've got so many great singers and entertainers lined up, I think people will really enjoy themselves," LaPorte said. "Even the young people are really amazing."

Festival co-chairman Mike Fasulo said 32 vendors are on tap, offering festive foods like cannoli, sausage and peppers, calamari and gelato.

"We did a couple different things this year like place the soda booths on both ends of the vending area, but overall, we're keeping the same format," Fasulo said. "We're pretty much down to the wire, just getting ready for the event now - it's looking good."

This year will be the first time two separate carnivals for teens and young children are offered, with a discounted family carnival day happening on Saturday.

A first-ever youth cultural extravaganza will also be held on the Sunday prior to the festival's kick-off, with children aged 4-12 performing skits and singing songs in Italian. Led by Tina Riccio, the group will perform under the new Community Pavilion at Recreation Park July 24 from 2-4 p.m.

The festival will end Sunday, July 31, with a 10 a.m. mass led in Italian by Father Frederick Aniello, assisted by Angelo Cappola. A religious procession will then take place through the lower Center Street neighborhoods.

Fasulo said he enjoys being part of the festival because he believes in preserving Southington's Italian culture and exposing the community to Italian traditions. With an average crowd of 15,000 people visiting the event each year, Fasulo said he always hears from those who appreciate celebrating their culture.

"I get a lot of satisfaction from working on this festival, because I come across a lot of families who grew up in that downtown area, and everyone has a story about who worked where, and all the families that were here," Fasulo said. "I'm glad to be able to promote Southington and this kind of event."