Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Visit Italy In Your Own Backyard



Visit Italy In Your Own Backyard
By Filomena Federici
           
            My father was born in San Fele, Italy and he always talked about going back and sharing where he grew up with his children and wife. However, we had to settle with learning about San Fele through pictures, food, stories and festivals. For many people in America especially Italian American communities’ festival time can be almost better than Christmas. Despite a common misperception New York and Boston are not the only areas that have a large Italian community. In fact, Iron Mountain, MI is not only the home to formers 49ers coach Steve Mariucci but also home to an amazing little Italian festival every August.
As July rolls in there are plenty of Fourth of July festivals but as you can see there are also many wonderful festivals geared towards everything Italy.  Take time out to enjoy the summer weather and an Italian festival with your family.

JULY ITALIAN FESTIVALS
California
Los Angeles – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel: held in July – 323-224-8119
San Diego – San Diego Italian Film Festival, Italian Film Festival: Monthly:  http://www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com/
Santa Monica – Festa Italian: July – 310 -535-2416
St. Helena – Festa Italiana: July – www.vsattui.com

Colorado
Denver – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel: July – 303-455-0447

Illinois
Enfield – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel: July – www.mtcarmelsociety.com
Waterbury - Lady of Mount Carmel Festival: July - http://www.olmc-wtby.org
Westport - Festival Italiano: July
Melrose Park - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival: July

Massachusetts
Boston - Madonna del Grazie: July
Worcester - Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: July

Michigan
Sterling Heights - Italian Festival: July

MINNESOTA
Chisolm - Festa Italiana: July

New York
Bronx - St. Anthony Feast: July
Bronx - Mount Carmel Feast: July
Glen Clove - Feast of St. Rocco: July to August
Oyster Bay - St. Rocco Festival: July
Valhalla - Italian Festival: July

Ohio
Cleveland - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival: July
Lowellville - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festa: July
Niles - Italian American Festival: July

Pennsylvania
Erie - Mazzini Civic Association Italian American Picnic: July
Norristown - Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival: July

Rhode Island
Westerly - Mount Carmel Feast: July