STAMFORD, CT — Stamford will once again celebrate Italian heritage and Columbus Day this weekend at the 5th annual “That’s Amore Italian Festival” from Mill River Park.
Presented by UNICO Stamford, Blackstone Products, Napoli Foods and the Italian Center of Stamford, the event is free and will take place on Oct. 12 and Oct. 13 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“This festival, in my opinion, is all about family, culture, heritage and traditions,” said Ilario Altamura, co-founder of Parachute Concerts. “We pride ourselves on being one of the most authentic Italian festivals in the area. We bring together the best of Italian food, music, and we celebrate the rich Italian-American heritage that has shaped the community of Stamford.”
Attendees can enjoy an array of delicious food, engaging entertainment and family-friendly activities.
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There will be classic favorites such as sausage and peppers, a variety of pizza, pasta dishes, and local food trucks. Delectable desserts will include items like zeppoles, cannolis, Italian ices, and ice cream.
Participating food vendors represent several of the different regions of Italy, from Minturno in the south to Padua in the north, and their offerings will reflect the many facets of Italian cuisine, Altamura explained.
Vendors will include Bari 167, D’Abruzzo, DiMare Pastry Shop, Divina Modern Italian, DeYulio Sausage, DiMare Pastry Shop, Gelato Cioccolato, Il Pastificio, Romanacci, T’s Pizza Kitchen, Westover Pizza and many more. UNICO will man the always popular pizza fritta booth.
“I love to celebrate the Italian immigrants who moved to this area, started new lives for their families, and built businesses and created establishments that, in my opinion, are now pillars of our community,” Altamura said.
The weekend will also be filled with live music and cultural performances featuring Alessandro, Biagio, Francesco Castiglione, and more. There will also be games, contests to entertain kids and adults, and live cooking demos.
John Cassone, the president of UNICO Stamford, said the organization originally spearheaded the annual Italian festival before Parachute Concerts came along and elevated it to new heights.
Cassone praised Altamura for his work in highlighting Italian culture each year.
“UNICO is very proud to celebrate its Italian heritage through food, music, drink and the gathering of people,” Cassone added. “UNICO is a proud supporter of the Columbus Day ceremony and the Columbus Day holiday.”
On Oct. 13 at 11:30 a.m., UNICO Stamford will participate in the annual Columbus Day parade and ceremony from Sacred Heart Church on Schuyler Avenue to Columbus Park.
UNICO will sponsor several other events during Italian Heritage Month in October, including an evening with celebrity chef and cookbook author Lidia Bastianich at Ferguson Library on Oct. 17.
Jonathan Hoch, the executive director of the Italian Center of Stamford, expressed excitement about the upcoming festival.
“For over 100 years the Italian Center of Stamford has been committed to serving the community and making Stamford a better place. The Italian Center’s mission is to preserve and honor the Italian heritage, culture, and traditions while welcoming all who share our values of family, recreation, and community,” Hoch said. “We see no better example of this than the That’s Amore Italian Festival. We are honored to once again partner with Ilario and all of the sponsors to make this event the preeminent celebration of Italian heritage, culture, and traditions in Connecticut!”
Altamura said the festival is open to all.
“With all the rich heritage and vendors from all over, we want to honor their contributions, celebrate the rich heritage they’ve brought to Connecticut and beyond, and we invite everyone to come experience Italy, celebrate Columbus Day, Italian Heritage Month, and the community spirit that’s really made Stamford such a special place,” Altamura said. “The festival is for everyone, whether you have Italian roots, or you simply want to enjoy a taste of Italian culture.”
For more details on the festival schedule, vendors, and free tickets, click here.
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