Free admission for 30-year-olds

Festa Italiana looks ahead in landmark birthday year

FROM the minute the first Italian delicacy is eaten to the last boom of the closing Abbondanza in the Sky fireworks display, this year’s Festa Italiana promises to be memorable.

Presented by U.S. Cellular at Henry Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds), Festa was first held 30 years ago and is recognized as the first of Milwaukee’s family of lakefront ethnic festivals. Now regarded as the largest Italian-American festival of its type in the U.S., the July 19-22 event will combine traditions of years past with new touches as it celebrates its 30th birthday.

“To commemorate the start of our third decade we’re treating everyone born in 1977 to free admission through the four-day run of Festa,” notes  Dominic Frinzi, chairman of Festa’s executive board.

In this anniversary year, festival goers will be treated to:

• Continuous entertainment on eight stages. Returning are Dennis DeYoung, the former Styx frontman, performing on Friday night with a paid Festa admission ticket; Festa favorite Dick Contino; the Booze Bros.; the Rat Pack with Suzanne Goulet as Liza, and Bad Medicine, a tribute to Bon Jovi.

Exciting as usual is the Golden Age of Opera, presenting a full docket of live entertainment. On Saturday, the Golden Age of Opera boasts an abridged version of Madame Butterfly, performed by the Elgin (Ill.) Opera Company, done in full, authentic costumes. In between live acts, Damon Lanza, son of the famous Mario Lanza, will be presenting videos and CDs of his father.

Making her first appearance at Festa will be Giada Valenti, who moved from her home near Venice to New York three years ago. She has earned rave reviews and comparisons to Diana Krall and Norah Jones.

• More than 40 great local restaurants and vendors again serve the treats that always make Festa stand out as a dining delight.

Back by popular demand and presented by Bolla Wine and C&H Sugar is television chef Nick Stellino from PBS’ “Nick Stellino’s Family Kitchen.” He will prepare classic Italian meals in the Cucina Showcase presented by DaVinci Italian Foods on Saturday and Sunday. Also appearing at the Cucina Showcase, demonstrating all four days, is chef Richard Lombardi from the national radio show “Filippo and the Chef.”

• Recognizing increased interest in dance, Festa this year introduces ballroom and tap dancing demonstrations, shows and lessons. Children in fourth through sixth grade compete for cash prizes in individual tap dancing and partner ballroom dancing on Saturday and Sunday.

• A cultural exhibition features the region of Calabria, “the toe of Italy,” describing its rugged mountains, clear water and ruins from early Greek colonization. Products from Calabria also will be on display.

Nightly fireworks displays by nationally known Bartolotta Fireworks are among the best displays all year, culminating in the Abbondanza in the Sky, presented by U.S. Cellular, spectacular on Sunday evening.

The new Cultural Village will have a special stage featuring different choirs, and a 34-foot statue of The Madonna. The San Gemini Flag Throwers from Italy will make their eighth appearance. Italian and Italian-American fine artists will have their work on display in the Festa Art Tent on the south end of the grounds. All types of artwork will be on display and for sale, including paintings, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, ceramic and wearable art.

Also new this year is a Prayer Walk on the morning of Sunday, July 22, featuring representatives of Catholic parishes from across Wisconsin and Illinois. The Prayer Walk will honor Festa’s statute of Our Lady of the New Millennium. The Prayer Walk will precede Festa’s traditional high Mass at the Marcus Amphitheater.

Festa Italiana runs from 2 p.m.-midnight July 19, and from 11:30 a.m.-midnight July 20-22. General admission tickets are $12 at the gate. Raffle tickets for a chance to win a 2007 Red Mini Cooper Convertible S Series, and other prizes are priced at $2 each, or three for $5. As always, Festa offers several free and reduced admission deals, July 19, 21 and 22. For further information about Festa, visit festaitaliana.com or call 414-223-2180.

Festa Italiana presented by U.S. Cellular is sponsored by Miller Lite, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, DaVinci Italian Foods, Palermo’s Pizza and Carmax.