Fifteenth Annual Festa Italian Set in Portland

The Festa Italiana Association, Inc. has announced the dates for this annual celebration on August 19 through August 27.

Like for almost all Italian festivals, a celebratory Mass will begin the festivities on August 19, at 7:00 PM in the nostalgic St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in downtown Portland, SW 4th Avenue and Mill Street. Mass will be celebrated in Italian by Most Reverend John G. Vlazny, Archbishop of Portland in Oregon. A reception with Italian delicacies will follow the Mass in the church hall. The public is cordially invited to attend.

Italian-owned Ponzi Vineyards, 14665 Winery Lane in Beaverton is the setting for the Invitational Bocce Tournament on Sunday, August 20 featuring teams from the West Coast. This beautiful grape vineyard is an appropriate setting for this genuine Italian sport. Action begins at 9:00 AM and will continue until a champion is determined around dusk. Admission is free with wine available for purchase, which includes wine tasting. Space is also available to enjoy a picnic lunch.

“Festa Night at the Flicks” follows on Tuesday, August 22 with the showing of an Italian award winning film, “I Cento Passi” at 7:00PM at the Fifth Avenue Cinema, 510 SW Hall Street in downtown Portland. Free admission highlights this event.

"Piazza Italia" is created at Pioneer Courthouse Square, SW 6th and Broadway for four days, beginning Thursday, August 24, continuing through Sunday, August 27.

A “Concert in the Piazza" comes alive at 7:00 PM on Thursday night with five local opera soloists performing arias and ensembles from Italian operas. Food court and wine garden will open at 5:00 PM. An array of entertainment from Ohio, Oregon, Washington, Canada and Italy, consisting of Italian show and dance band, Italian singers, strolling accordionists and puppet show will perform non-stop for the final three days of the weekend.

Providing Italian food at modest prices are several fine Portland Italian restaurants along with a wine garden featuring Italian wine and beer.
Opening ceremonies are at noon on Friday followed by grape stomp competition and kids’ pizza toss.

A raffle for valuable prizes, including a trip to Italy concludes the Festa at 7:00 PM on Sunday evening. There will also be a separate raffle to win an Italian-made Aprilia motorscooter. Italian merchandise booths will also be available throughout the weekend.
There is no admission price to this outstanding celebration.

The focus of the Festa Italiana Association is to promote and coordinate a cultural celebration annually as a gift to the people of Portland so that they may share the beauty of the Italian culture. Nearly 300 volunteers along with several generous sponsors provide for this unique celebration of Italian culture and heritage of Italian-Americans in the Portland metropolitan area.

 

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