Thousands attended The 15th Annual Italian festival, Feast of Little Italy Jupiter. The beloved tradition for South Florida was presented by Arrigo West Palm & Sawgrass FIAT. The 3 day event and celebration was a great success and was held in Downtown Abacoa November 3, 4 & 5th. The mission of the festival is to help educate and showcase Italian traditions and culture. The event also provided a fun opportunity to focus on core family values and unity in the community. "That's Amore!" - That's love.
Jerry Somma, President of the Feast of Little Italy says, "My grandfather taught me what the importance of breaking bread represented and we get to do that as a community. To come together and be one and we celebrate that. So whether you're Italian or not, that's OK. You got to be Italian this weekend and we're all one."L’amore vince sempre" – Love conquers all.
Somma tells What's Trending Palm Beach Founder, Michele Wright "When I'm asked what it's mostly about..I sum it up in one word...passion. Passion for family, friends, music, food, and our community coming together and loving everything about life. That's what this is about."
Festival goers enjoyed an experience like none other creating fond memories that last a lifetime.
"It's seeing grandparents, parents and grand-kids together. It warms my heart when I can see three generations walking around holding hands, taking pictures, spending quality family time."
"Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto." – Eat well, laugh often, love much.
Food and Wine Seminars/Cooking Demos Each year national and local chef’s come out to the Feast and instruct the public on how to cook a specialty dish. Live cooking demonstrations were available at various times throughout the festival in the Galbani Cooking Pavilion. Chef Marco and special guests created magical Italian creations from scratch for everyone to enjoy. Galbani cheese has crafted the finest Italian cheese for over 100 years. To compliment the food, join us as World Renowned Wine Connoisseur Anthony Acampa took everyone on a journey for your palate.
Food With every step you take in Abacoa, there was a food vendor serving up an authentic dish; from pasta, pizza, and sausage and peppers to shrimp scampi and pinwheels to much more. The aroma of Italy surrounded you and every bite kept you hungry for more. You could taste dishes from both south and northern Italy ranging from, seafood pescatore, calamari, antipasto platters, Italian mac and cheese balls, fried raviolis and Italian Chicago beef fried calzones. You couldn't miss all of the Italian dessert with homemade zeppola’s, sfogliatella, and cannolis. Joseph’s Classic Market was a festival must-have on site selling their homemade products and cooking up some of the area’s local favorites.
Tradition/Culture The Italian culture was all around you at the Feast, it’s not just about what you are eating but what you enjoyed and shared in the Italian traditions with your family, friends and neighbors. Peppino was the strolling accordion player (accordion was first produced in Italy in the 1860’s) and he will remind you that the cheerful sounds have been heard for generations as he plays classic Italian music. Bocce ball was first played in Ancient Rome and at the Feast there are courts available for the public to give it a try. A Feast must was to shop and explore all of the vendors selling Italian garb from T-shirts and Italian jewelry to home must have’s for every kitchen.
Family Fun After eating all you can eat, the children’s area was the place to be. Filled with thrilling festival rides and prize winning games, the Feast will created memorable moments to share. Kids also lined up to get their faces painted!
Charity
Little Smiles of Florida is the official charity of the Feast of Little Italy. Little Smiles was on site raising awareness with kids activities as well as accepting donations. It is a volunteer driven, non-profit 501(c) 3 children’s charity. Their mission is to help heal hearts and create little smiles by providing gifts and fun activities to children impacted by serious illness, homelessness or tragedy. With the guidance of local professionals such as doctors, nurses, child life specialists and social workers, we strive to help kids escape their unfortunate circumstances, even if only for a short period of time. Please stop-by, say hi and join us in supporting this fantastic organization.
Participants brought chairs and blankets to watch all of the talented entertainers, musicians and artists all day long at the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center Stage.
Friday, November 3rd
4:00PM - 5:00PM Sounds of Italy
5;30PM - 6:00PM Performing Arts Academy
6:00PM - 7:00PM Lou Villano
7:00PM - 8:00PM Maria De Crescenzo
8:00PM - 8:30PM Opening Ceremony
8:30PM - 10:00PM HEADLINER: Atlantic City Boys
Saturday, November 4th
10:00AM - 11:30AM Sounds of Italy
11:30AM - 12:00PM Samantha Piccirilli
12:30PM - 1:30PM Vinnie Lanciano
1:30PM - 2:00PM Galbani Children's Cheese Building contest
2:00PM - 2:45PM Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts
3:00PM - 4:00PM Marco Turo
4:00PM - 5:00PM Angelo Venuto
5:00PM - 6:00PM Phillipe Harari
6:30PM - 7:30PM Franco Corso
8:00PM - 9:30PM HEADLINER: Salvatore Valentinetti, a finalist on NBC’s 2016 America’s Got Talent
Sunday, November 5th
10:00AM - 11:30AM Sounds of Italy
12:00PM - 1:00PM Samantha Piccirilli
1:00PM - 2:00PM Vinnie Lanciano
2:00PM - 2:30PM Galbani Cheese Building contest for Charity
2:30PM - 3:30PM Goldner Conservatory of Performing Arts
3:30PM - 4:30PM Marco Turo
4:30PM - 5:30PM Angelo Venuto
6:00PM - 7:30PM HEADLINER: Tommy Mara, the Pavarotti of Doo Wop "Rocking Through The Decades"
Visit the official "Feast of Italy" website HERE . Next event in Port St. Lucie
Connect and get updates with Feast of Little Italy Jupiter on Facebook HERE
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