Seattle Center Festál: The Italian Festival, 10am – 7pm, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23-24, in Seattle Center Armory, Fisher Pavilion and Seattle Center Pavilion, features plentiful music, food, displays and delight, Italian-style.
The festival began in 1988 as a five-year quinquennial celebration of the Columbus voyage to the New World. However, the Italian community insisted that the annual effort continue. In 2017, the hugely popular two-day event celebrates the 30th Annual Festa Italiana/The Italian Festival with a two-day program that includes:
- Two concerts starring New York tenor Aaron Caruso;
- Celebrity Chef Rossella Ragoheadlining a full schedule of cooking demos;
- Puppetry by the Olde World Puppet Theatre;
- Grape stomping competition;
- An expanded food court and vendor market;
- Cultural and educational opportunities;
- A wide range of children’s activities.
Festival-goers may explore a collection of classic Italian vehicles; an exhibit of works inspired by Italy; an exhibit, show and parade of traditional Italian dog breeds; and over 1,000 photographs of Seattle’s earliest Italian immigrants. The festival also presents a Taste of Italy™ Wine Tasting and Opening Reception, 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, in the Armory. The tasting event feature music by Danny Quintero, over 70 Italian wines, hors d’oeuvres and antipasti from Big John’s PFI. Tickets are $25 per person for this 21 and older event.
An all-volunteer community organization produces an annual series of events the last week of September culminating in The Italian Festival at Seattle Center. The events celebrate the cultural roots of Italians and Italian-Americans in the Pacific Northwest by promoting the arts, the food and the culture that are uniquely Italian.
Seattle Center Festál is a program of Seattle Center Productions. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on The Italian Festival, visit www.festaseattle.com, and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit Seattle Center or call 206-684-7200.
