How is it possible that I was unaware of this?? I suppose in fairness to myself, this is only their second year… but I KNOW NOW!! Their website italianassociation.org, mentions a Pizza Cook-off. Life doesn’t get any better than that 🙂 ~Bill
——————————— Italian Festival of Arizona
You might feel like you’re in Venice if you visit the Italian Festival of Arizona this weekend at SouthBridge in Scottsdale.
Umbrella-shaded tables will be placed along the bridge to re-create the ambiance of the canal-laced city in northeastern Italy.
“People can look over the canal while they eat dinner, kind of like you’re in Venice, said Christina Forrest, a board member of the Italian Association of Arizona. “People would be able to see and smell lots of Italian food, such as pizza, pasta, Italian wine and great music. It’s going to be amazing.”
This is the second year for the two-day event, which is projected to attract up to 6,000 people to enjoy the music, artists and vendors.
La Zitella, a musical and dance group from southern Italy, will perform. Three generations of singers and dancers perform in traditional passed down through the generations, Forrest said.
Event organizers said about 200,000 Italians live in the Valley. The association’s long-term goal is to create a Little Italy neighborhood here, Forrest said
Scottsdale resident Emily Specht and her husband plan to attend the festival again. The couple has taken culinary classes and are fans of wine.
Specht remembered the delicious food at last year’s event, including cuttlefish and gnocchi, a kind of potato dumpling.
The food melted in the mouth, she remembered.
“I’m going back for one those this year,” Specht said.
Italian Festival of Arizona
When: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, March 21. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, March 22.
Where: Near Marcellino Restaurant in SouthBridge, 7114 E Stetson Drive, Scottsdale.
Admission: $10; free for veterans, Italian Association members and age 11 or younger.
Details: italianassociation.org.
