Fitchburg’s Festa Italia offers two days of Italian culture, live music and family fun
FITCHBURG (WKOW) — The Italian Workmen’s Club of Madison will host its annual Festa Italia on May 30-31 at McKee Farms Park.
The celebration of Italian culture runs from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on May 30 and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on May 31 at 2930 Chapel Valley Road in Fitchburg. The Italian Workmen’s Club, founded in 1912, is one of the oldest continuously active Italian clubs in America.
A portion of the event’s profits supports scholarships for Dane County high school seniors planning to attend college or technical school. The funds also help UW-Madison students enrolled in the Italian studies program who plan to study in Italy.
The festival features Italian food and desserts, cultural exhibits and live music performances on a concert stage. Attendees can watch Italian music and dance ensembles, participate in a pasta eating contest and enjoy cooking demonstrations. Wake Up Wisconsin anchor Jake Eichstaedt will be one of the judges of the pasta eating contest Saturday at 2 p.m.
The event also includes a flags of Italy parade, bocce tournaments, a member recognition ceremony and a magic show. Children’s activities include a face painter and games.
Admission to Festa Italia is $7, and children 12 and under get in free. Parking is free with shuttles available from several parking areas, but pets are not allowed.
The festival grew from picnics held at various Madison locations in the 1940s, including Brittingham Park, Olin Park and Hoyt Park. Families gathered under trees with picnic baskets and homemade food, celebrating with Italian flags in green, white and red.
