The Italian American Society of Peoria will hold its 85th Annual Italian Summer Festa on Sunday August 10th from 12:00 noon to 7:00pm at Hickory Grove Park in North Peoria. (Hickory Grove Road off Knoxville Ave, follow signs).

The Summer Festa Picnic is a long-standing family event  held by the Society every year since its founding in 1929 as a time for Italian families to get together for fellowship and support, and has since developed into a non-profit, fun, family-centered community event, bringing a small piece of Italy and its traditions to central Illinois.

The Festa is the major fund raiser for our three scholarship programs.  So far we have given over $70,000 to college students.

Once again, we are honored to have our authentic Italian recipes prepared by Barrack’s Cater Inn.  The menu will include lasagna or spaghetti meals with salads, also meatball or sausage sandwiches, Italian beef, and of course Italian desserts including cannoli and pizzelles.  Drinks include Italian and domestic beers, wine, soda, and water.

Fun, traditional Italian American music will be provided by The Vince Chiarelli Band.  We will  again have our Regalia Gift Shop with all kinds of Italian tee shirts, hats, pins, and our own Society cook books.

There will be Bocce tournaments, an arts and craft village, and a car show.

Other events and attractions will include scholarship awards, an inflatable attraction,  a face painter, and various other games.  Kids Corner open from 12:30pm to 5:00pm.

Admission is $3.00 at the gate.  Children under 12 are free and so is parking.

Contact Dave at 309-383-4684 for special discounts for youth groups of 15 or more.

Further information can be found at our website: www.italianamericansociety.com.