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Festa Italiana Syracuse 2025

“Family,” Ginnie Lostumbo said, when asked what she felt was the key to how great Festa Italiana has been for Syracuse each year for 27 years.

Founder and leader of one of Syracuse’s most popular events wanted to extend her thanks, she added, “to all of our extended family that makes the Festa so much fun.” From the families that attend to eat, drink, dance and experience, to those who seek to learn about the Italian heritage that all of Syracuse enjoys, to the families – fathers and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, of the event’s sponsors – family is at the center of the festival.

“There are about two hundred volunteers working at the Festa this year,” Lostumbo said. “And nearly seventy of them are working more than one day. And what’s really interesting is that many of THEM are from the same family, and get together to volunteer for us! It really is one big family!

She added that there are some volunteers for whom the event is a chance, like a family reunion, to see people for the once-a-year occasion. “And they look forward to it all year.”

She also added heartfelt thanks to the “family leaders” of the community, including Julian and Terry Charles, Carol Stockham, Linda DeFrancisco, John Cerrone and Steve Militi, and John DeFrancisco and the Charles Family for their help and enthusiasm in supporting and promoting the festival.

And each year, visitors also look forward to their favorites: the Bocce tournament; the celebrity meatball eating contest; the food vendors, Heritage Display, 3 venues for entertainment, and even Mass on Sunday.

Along with other popular favorites, this year the Festa is offering a boutique where you can pick up t-shirts, memorabilia and other Italian-flavored items and keepsakes.

By, for, and about the “family” in all of us – our friends, relatives, ancestors, and extended communities. That’s something to celebrate. And celebration is what makes a “festival” – a Festa!

Bocce Tournament

Participate, watch, root for your favorite team! It’s a “game of inches” that always entertains.

1st Prize $240/team
2nd Prize $200/team
3rd Prize $160/team

Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Teams

Entry Fee: $80/team ($20/person)

Heritage Display Presentations and Demonstrations

New to the Heritage Display this year will be the “Legacy Wall,” a participatory poster featuring the names of a family, a family member, a particular individual, that donors want to highlight. A $10 donation will add that individual or family name to the chart, and help keep the festival, and the memories, strong. You can visit the display, see the 3 re-created ships of the Columbus voyage, and listen to local celebrities and experts who share their knowledge of Italian heritage.

Among a full schedule of fascinating topics, learn the difference between “Traditional Italian Food & Italian American Cuisine” with Frank Riccardiello; play Italian Bingo; and learn how Northern and Southern Italy tell two unique stories to visitors!

In the Atrium Building next to City Hall, all 3 days.

Schedule

Friday, September 12

4:00pm • Jim Battaglia • Visits to Italian Cities: Their landmarks and special places of interest. Also, how to make limoncello.
5:00pm • Frank Riccardiello • The difference between traditional Italian food & Italian/American cuisine.
5:30pm • Nick Blaney • Singing Italian folk songs and arias.
6:00pm • John Cerrone • Italian Bingo

Saturday, September 13

12:00pm • Michele Buckingham • Cooking Tuscan Chicken in a creamy sundried tomato and spinach sauce.
1:00pm • Bob & Marie Leogrande • Making dough & creating cavatelli, orecchiette, gnocchetti sardi and trofie pasta (samples of cavatelli)
2:30pm • Frank Riccardiello • Italian Bingo
3:45pm • Nino Samiani & Mike Caruso • Italian Songs
5:00pm • Angela and Geoff Carbone present: More Cooking Italian with a Twist.
6:00pm • John Cerrone • Italian Bingo

Sunday, September 14

1:00pm • John Cerrone • Italian Bingo
2:00pm • Laura Hand & Frank Riccardiello • A Tale of Two Cities: Differences in cities of the north and south of Italy.
3:30pm • Ed Gasparini – Gasparini Sales • Italian Food Brokers for Citteria, Auricchio, Locatelli & Stella

Entertainment

Two stages and strolling musicians will entertain you with everything from Italian folk to rock, soul and country stylings. On the main stage, the small stage on Fayette Street, or strolling through the grounds, there will be sights and sounds you’ll love.

The bands are scheduled every two hours on both the main and small stages, and go on throughout the festival. Check the website for the hours for the lineup!

Food

Did we save the best for last? Whether it’s “Italian food” or “Italian American food,” one thing the Italian family does well is enjoy delicious food! And as ever, the Festa will be offering some of the best that Central New York has to offer. Along with all your favorites, try two new offerings this year: Melt (offering amazing “melted” cheese sandwiches, grilled chocolate pie, and Italian cream sodas, among other things) and The Cup (everything served in a cup!).

Alteri’s La Bella Dolce, Avicolli’s Coal Fire, Big Mama’s Cheesecake Company, Biscotti Café & Pastry Shop, Brancato’s Catering, Charlie’s “It’s a Utica Thing,” Festa Sausage & Pizza by Twin Trees, Mama B’s & Mama C’s, Melt, Pascarella’s Bakery & Catering, The Saucy Sandwich, The Cub House, The Cup, Villa Pizze Fritte, Vito’s Ristorante.