Italian Heritage Month Celebrated in Orange County At Italian Arts Council Festival and Columbus Day
The Italian Cultural Arts Council of the Bowers Museum held an Italian Family Festival to coincide with its annual Columbus Day civic ceremony by providing a variety of activities on the spacious grounds of the museum. The weather was perfect for the morning civic ceremony and the four hour festival that followed.
Attendees enjoyed lively Italian music with authentic folk dances, traditional bocce ball on the front lawn, hot Italian meatball sandwiches and Italian ices. A large turnout with approximately three thousand people attended the community event while taking the opportunity to see the world class museum’s exhibits free of charge as part of a one-day museum sponsorship and promotion program by Target Corporation.
The museum’s Executive Director Peter Keller and staff provided wonderful support and assistance in making the event a success. Attendees were welcomed at 10:00 AM on the museum’s courtyard lawn to the Columbus Day Civic Ceremony by Frank DeSantis, president of the Italian Arts Council and president emeritus of the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation.
Queen Angela Salcedo, Renaissance Lodge #2259 greeted the audience in English and Italian, and David Prisco, past OSIA Grand Lodge President led an invocation. Renaissance Lodge member John Russo led the pledge of allegiance followed by a beautiful performance of the US National Anthem by Kathy Perry of the Orange County High School of the Arts. OCICA President Paolo Miliozzi arranged for the children of Fondazione Italia to sing the Italian National Anthem and delightful children’s Italian songs.
Renaissance Lodge and Foundation President Tom Rizzo and Frank DeSantis proudly accepted a proclamation from Joanne Sokolski on behalf of Patricia Bates, chairman of the Board of Directors of the County of Orange and Miguel Pulido, mayor of the City of Santa Ana which proclaimed October as Italian Heritage Month. A public presentation by the City of Santa Ana in the council chambers on October 5 also proclaimed October as Italian Heritage Month.
Remarks as to the significance of Columbus Day and community events such as this event were given by Consul General of Italy (Los Angeles) Nicola Faganello. A wreath ceremony was conducted by Tom Rizzo at the bronze carved Columbus Monument in the courtyard of the Bowers Museum, followed by the Italian Festival which lasted until 4:00 pm. “It’s wonderful that the free admission to the museum on the same day as the Columbus Day ceremony and the Italian Festival brought Italian clubs, affiliates in Orange County and non-Italians together.
I am proud that we provided an opportunity to share Italian heritage with the younger generation and non-Italian citizens in such a fun way,” said DeSantis, who organized the event with museum officials and the Italian Arts Council committee. “Many who came to see the exhibits also joined in the festival and vice versa.
There was something for everyone,” A main attraction for over 100 children in attendance was a funny, live interactive puppet show starring Pinocchio. Tables had been set up for art projects and to have their faces or hands artistically painted. Many enjoyed dancing with the Gypsy Folk Ensemble or just sitting down to eat and listen to the sentimental and nostalgic songs of Italy played by Anthony Ciaramitaro’s “The Sicilian Band.”.
Inside the auditorium, an interesting documentary on the rare art of Puppet History, produced by Armando Gallo, was shown. Sponsors for the event were: Galasso’s Bakery; L.A. Italian Kitchen; National Trustee of OSIA Joseph La Banca; Claro’s Italian Market; Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation; OSIA Western Foundation and the Bowers Museum.
Affiliate members who participated were: Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation; Renaissance Lodge #2259, OSIA; Saddleback Lodge, OSIA; Orange County Italian Cultural Association (OCICA); Lex Romana; Fondazione Italia; Orange County American Italian Women, and the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). The Italian Cultural Arts Council is an affiliate of the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. K.D.S.
