Akron’s annual Italian-American Festival is organized by The Council of the Italian-American Societies of Summit County, an organization of different Italian-American groups founded in Akron in 1947. Since they have started, the money that is raised from this annual festival is used to provide scholarships for deserving high school students as well as contribute to charities that help the localities in Akron, Ohio.
The Italian-American Societies of Summit County prepares for this event by gathering volunteers, sponsors, entertainers and vendors for the event. The preparation alone takes months and everything must be planned according in order for the festival to go smoothly. The organization also receives help from the Akron Police Department in order to guarantee the safety of the people participating in the event.
As if the prospect of helping deserving children receive scholarships is not enough to convince one to participate in the event, the organizers have made it even better for the participants. When we think of Italy, we probably think of pizza and pasta, not to mention the tunes that speak volumes about their culture and way of life. Well, visitors of this event will not be disappointed. The day is filled with Bocce tournaments, entertainment for the kids and music.
What of the food and wine? Now, those two deserve some special mention because no self-respecting and heritage-loving Italian will go without those two. To add to the excitement, guests of the festival will have their choice amongst food vendors lining up the streets with their authentic Italian fare of Gnocchi, Pizza Fritta, Italian sausage and other mouth-watering dishes from their homeland. The organizers have also set up pizza eating contests and wine tasting booths for those who want to sample selections from Italy.
Tickets for the festival may be purchase beforehand by contacting the organizers.
