Via Productions Inc. announced the return of the Galbani Taste of Little Italy, celebrating its 17th anniversary on February 16th - February 18, 2024. The cultural festival, known for its Italian ambiance, national Italian American entertainers, and authentic food, will offer free admission to thank the community for all the years of support. The festival will be in Tradition Square. The Taste of Little Italy is the Treasure Coast's largest Italian festival.
Festival hours throughout the weekend are Friday, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Saturday, 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM, and Sunday, 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Admission & Parking are FREE.
Now in its 17th year, the 'Taste of Little Italy' presented by Galbani Cheese promises a weekend filled with entertainment, food, family fun, and more served up Italian-style! Each year, the 'Taste of Little Italy' draws three generations of families on the Treasure Coast, promising something special for everyone to enjoy and remember as they create memorable moments that last a lifetime.
"We are committed to celebrating our Italian cultures, values, and traditions built on the foundation of family. We are grateful for all who came out and celebrated and shared in the love of our heritage," said Jerry Somma, Co-Founder and Producer of the festival. "Cheers to the next 17 years; we will offer The Aperol Spritz Piazza and the Voga Prosecco and Bellini Lounge, a great place to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of The Taste of Little Italy."
Experience national and local chefs who come out to the Taste of Little Italy and demonstrate how to cook specialty Italian dishes. This year, The La Cucina Galbani® Cooking stage will be something everyone enjoys. The Galbani "kitchen" will hot with nationally known chefs serving up Italian specialties, like most notable, Galbani Celebrity Chef Marco Sciortino from the hit TV show, "Come Dine with Me," and YouTube favorite Anthony Acamp, from "Fats Where the Flavor Is." On Saturday, Chef Ian from Pastaio, along with Virginia Sinicki from The KVJ Show on 97.9 WRMF, will be cooking at 1:00 PM, followed by Amy Laakman from Lasagna Love, at 3:00 PM. Josie Carbonare from WPBF, and La Forcetta Chef, Francesca DiFede, will be creating specialty Italian dishes right before your eyes with cooking demonstrations throughout the weekend! Voga wine experts will be at the festival, providing tastings and a history of Italian wine.
You can enjoy the festival by reserving party options with a Private VIP Villa located near the stage for your enjoyment, including a covered area, large table, eight seats, and waiter/waitress service, or enjoy a reserved pod seating with four chairs and a table including waiter/waitress service. Villas and pods can be reserved on Eventbrite.com.
For the entire family, there will be festival rides and games for all ages. Little Smiles will be on site with fun kids' activities. Relax, sit, eat, and enjoy in the Humana Family Picnic area throughout the weekend.
Entertainment
The Taste of Little Italy is pleased to announce the Mistress of Ceremonies –Virginia Sinicki, on-air personality from the KVJ show on 97.9 WRMF.
The celebration kicks off with Italian singer Maria DeCrecenzo and then on the Mattamy Homes stage, a Friday night freestyle party with Angelo Venuto featuring Cynthia, known for her 90's hits "Dreamboy/Dreamgirl," "Change on Me," "Endless Nights," and "Thief of Hearts." These electronic sounds will have everyone dancing to the music spun by DJ Anthony Mangini.
On Saturday Night, we are having The Rat Pack Now, featuring a tribute to Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra—also performing The Voice of Romance, Franco Corso performing the best of Andrea Bocelli, and more. Elio Scaccio from The Sicilian Tenors will perform opera favorites and classics. Tony Quaranti will be performing "The Sinatra Songbook." Tony will have the festival attendees singing a long and clapping to some of the greatest songs ever recorded, including "The Lady Is A Tramp," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Fly Me To The Moon," "Where Or When," "My Way," and many more!
Sunday at the Taste, the headliners will be Marc Turo with A Tribute to Tony Bennett, young sensation Aviana Rossi returns to the festival, and performing Italian ballads and classics, Vincent and Emily Ricciardi will have the audiences fall in love.
The Food – Now that is Italian!
With every step in Tradition Square, visitors will find food vendors serving authentic Italian dishes, from fresh pasta, pizza, sausage, and peppers. Then, enjoy a not-to-be-missed Italian dessert with homemade zeppoles with powdered sugar, sfogliatella, and cannoli.
About Little Smiles – The Taste of Little Italy’s official Charity
The Taste of Little Italy is committed each year to supporting Little Smiles, an organization that works tirelessly to bring smiles to the faces of children by giving kids the chance to be kids during difficult times. The nonprofit provides gifts and fun activities to children with serious illness, homelessness, or tragedy. To learn more, visit www.littlesmilesfl.org.
About Maddie's Fight Foundation
Maddie's Fight Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated and determined to support children and their families battling cancer and give financial support for research on osteosarcoma. To learn more, visit www.maddiesfight.org.
About Galbani Cheese
First crafted in Italy by Egidio Galbani in 1882—Galbani® cheeses have long been the #1 cheese brand in Italy. For over 130 years, Galbani cheese has been delighting families all over Italy. Today, the Galbani brand brings its timeless Tradition from Italy to the American table with the delicious taste of mozzarella, ricotta, fresh mozzarella, and snack cheese made and sold in the United States. Galbani® cheese is a leading brand of the Lactalis American Group, Inc. ("LAG"). Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, LAG is a subsidiary of Parmalat S.p.A., an Italian public entity majority-owned by France-based Groupe Lactalis - the world's largest producer of premium cheese. LAG produces a wide array of cheese products, including various specialty cheese available to retail, foodservice, and industrial customers. For more info on Galbani, please visit www.galbanicheese.com. ©2018 Lactalis American Group, Inc., Buffalo, NY 14220. Galbani is a ® of Egidio Galbani S.r.l.
About the Taste of Little Italy
It began 17 years ago with a dream and a vision to create an experience rich in Italian culture to share. With family tradition and values at the core of its mission, the Taste continues to serve as the signature event at Tradition that brings together generations to celebrate marked contributions by great Italians. Through food, music, art, and history, over the three-day festival, we remain steadfast in encouraging the importance of bringing together the community, rooted in the importance of family. We remain dedicated to staying mindful of the hardships that our ancestors endured in migrating to this great country and proud of our Italian American heritage. For more information, visit www.tasteoflittleitaly.net.
