Buona festa: Italian fest returns to Addison
For almost a decade, suburban residents who are of Italian descent, who are Italian at heart, or who just love good food have trekked to the West Suburban Festa Italiana in Addison.
The annual event, run by Onesti Entertainment in Centennial Park, is the suburban counterpart of a popular Italian fest held early each summer on Taylor Street in Chicago’s Little Italy neighborhood. The festival runs Friday through Sunday, Aug. 26 to 28, in the park at Lake Street and Rohlwing Road.
Visitors can take a culinary tour of their favorite Italian dishes, shop for clothes and costumes like Venetian masks, and hear music by Italian-American artists from across the U.S.
This year’s fest also will include musical entertainment including The Bronx Wanderers and Louis Prima Jr. and his Big Band as well as bocce ball courts and an Italian Mass on Sunday.
And to find out a bit more about what draws about 20,000 people to Centennial Park each year, organizer Ron Onesti gives us a look inside the Festa Italiana.
Q. Of all the suburbs around Chicago, why is Addison the special draw for the festival site?
A. Addison is one of several western suburbs of Chicago where many Italian families emigrated to from the 1940s through the 1970s after initially establishing themselves in the Taylor Street area. As many of the old neighborhoods either fell victim to economical downturns or, as in the case of the Taylor Street area, were forced out due to the development of educational and medical districts, many families headed west.
Q. It’s been more than 100 years since the major wave of Italian immigration into the U.S. and many cultural traditions have dissolved. Is this a way to remember?
A. Yes. Two main purposes of the event are fostering the legacy of those that came to America to find a better life for their families, as well as keeping Italian traditions alive.
Q. If someone is visiting this event for the first time, what should they make sure not to miss?
A. Leave plenty of time to enjoy the high-end entertainment presented from New York and Las Vegas.
Q. This fest has been going for seven years and continues even in the rough economy. What do you think makes it a draw?
A. It has been positioned as a reunion of sorts, and a celebration of Italian culture that reunites the Italian-American community in a family picnic setting.
Q. What’s new this year? A. We have added a full carnival. And Louis Prima Jr., son of the legendary entertainer with too many accolades to mention, will bring his 10-piece musical tribute to his father. In addition, Alfio, #147;the heartthrob from Down Under,#148; will appear with his show direct from Australia.
If you go
What: West Suburban Festa Italiana
When: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28
Where: Centennial Park, Lake Street and Rohlwing Road, Addison
Cost: $7; $5 for seniors, free for children
Info: oshows.com