Most recently the Festa has also hosted a spectacular Firework show for its guests on the opening night that is so good, it shuts down traffic. In addition to the great food and entertainment, the Festa also hosts such attractions as an inflatable fun zone for kids, and a petting zoo. Each year the Festa hosts not only local but also national talent on the famous Lucido Family Stage. G’s Concessions, serving everything from funnel cake to French fries. Festa Italiana also hosts several other local food vendors each year including Gnocchi Italian Restaurant, Vince and Joe's Gourmet Market, and a range of other rotating vendors like Red Smoke BBQ, Great Lakes Food Truck, National Coney Island, and Mr. Reno Garagiola and Joe Ventimiglia with the help of Nino Salvaggio, The Randazzo Family, Joe Vicari of Andiamo Italia, The Picano Family, Frank Mastro, and Tom Bommarito, amongst others, got to work to ensure the Festa would go on. However, several local Italian Americans refused to let it become a thing of the past. In 2004 the Festa Italiana was in danger of becoming extinct. Although Reno passed away in 2007 his legacy lives on every July as metro Detroit Italians gather to celebrate and enjoy amazing Italian food, wine, entertainment and most importantly, the company of their fellow Italians in the community. At that point, the torch was passed to the Festa’s current Chairman Joseph P. Reno Garagiola served as the Chairman of the Festa from 1973 until he passed away in 2007.
For a few years, the Festa had to be relocated to Macomb Community College and downtown Mount Clemens, as Freedom Hill was shut down temporarily. In the early 1990s Reno moved the Festa to Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights where it has been held almost every year since. Originally the event was hosted along Atwater Street in downtown Detroit, but Reno moved the festival to Hart Plaza on the waterfront in 1975. The festival’s first Chairman was Ross Amicucci however, Ross sadly passed away in 1973, and the reigns were handed over to the long time Festa Chairman Martin “Reno” Garagiola. Festa Italiana was organized in about 1970 by the Italian American Chamber of Commerce of Michigan. Taste the finest Italian wines, beer, and cocktails. More than 30 food vendors serve the best Italian food in metro Detroit. For three days this summer, the entire family can enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of Italy.
It is an annual 3-day festival, which hosts more than 40,000 guests each year. Festival Chairmen- Joe Vicari, Joe Ventimiglia, Aaron Marentette, Tom Bommaritoįesta Italiana is one of the most important and well-loved Italian American traditions in metro Detroit.
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