South Buffalo to hold annual Italian Festival

SOUTH BUFFALO - The eighth annual South Buffalo Italian Festival is planned to be held from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19 on the lawn near the Botanical Gardens. Admission is free.

The festival will feature food by DiTondo’s, Francesca’s, Mineo’s, KupKates, Ilio DiPaolo’s, and Leo’s Pizzeria. Other refreshments will also be available, including kettle corn and Italian beer and wine.

Nick Battistella will perform live at the event. Additionally, there will be a basket auction, and a raffle with a grand prize of an overnight stay for two at Salvatore’s Grand Hotel

There will also be activities for children, including the popular “Gravitational Bull” and face painting. A friendly game of bocce ball will be underway throughout the afternoon.

In keeping with tradition, Buffalo Comptroller Mark J.F. Schroeder, who introduced the idea eight years ago, is expected to lead the crowd in singing several verses of “Che a Luna” in Italian. Schroeder’s grandparents came from Italy.

The South Buffalo Italian Festival proceeds benefit neighborhood beautification projects. A $2,000 investment to supplement holiday lighting for South Park Avenue was made last year, through South Buffalo Alive.

The South Buffalo Italian Festival committee is co-chaired by Carmella Bongiovanni Schroeder and Rich Angrisano. The committee also includes Barbara Hart, Jason Shell, Larry Hughes, Tony Scaccia, Manny Ciulla, Martha Murphy, Fran Desiderio, Kathy Cunningham, Dave Gilmour, Ray McGurn, and Ann Enger.

Sponsors include Sorrento (Lactalis American Group, Inc.), The Lake Erie Italian Club, Congressman Brian Higgins, Buffalo Comptroller Mark J.F. Schroeder, Senator Tim Kennedy, Assemblyman Michael Kearns, Legislator Lynne Dixon, The Greater South Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, South Buffalo Alive, Goin’ South, Desi’s Produce Market (Fran and Paul Desiderio), Russell Salvatore and Salvatore’s Grand Hotel, Francesca’s, Tony’s Hair Styling, and James Desiderio, Inc. Wholesale Fruit & Produce.

For more information about the South Buffalo Italian Festival, or to become a sponsor, please call 824-9942 or e-mail southbuffalochamber@gmail.com.