A beloved festival that honors the Tri-State’s rich Italian heritage with live music, historical displays and tons and tons of food is back next weekend for its 32nd year.
Italianfest starts Thursday, June 13 and runs through Sunday, June 16 at Newport on the Levee’s Riverboat Row. The foodie fest expects to draw more than 120,000 visitors this year.
“Immerse yourself in the vibrant ambiance of Newport Italianfest, where you’ll discover a delightful fusion of cultural festivities, live entertainment and mouthwatering Italian cuisine, all against the stunning backdrop of the Ohio River,” organizers said in a press release.
This year, in addition to plenty of pasta and tomato sauce, folks can expect family-friendly fun like inflatables, caricatures and face-painting, as well as a robust lineup of musical performances. The lineup includes highlights like Dr. Zoot, a seven-piece dance band from Pittsburgh, and the Aaron Caruso Band from Detroit, which offers electrifying operatic and crossover vocals. The Pete Wagner Band, Moreno Fruzzetti, Vinyl Countdown, Joey Said No and the Naked Karate Girls will also perform.
There will also be a photo tent displaying historic photos of Italian families who helped build the Newport community.
Restaurants including Pagano’s, Pompilios, Royal Roman, Sweet Tooth, Alfio’s Buon Cibo and more will provide the authentic eats, which range from chicken parmigiana to alfredo and bruschetta to cannoli.
The event is free to attend for guests of all ages. Hours are 5-11 p.m. June 13-14; noon-11 p.m. June 15; and noon-9 p.m. June 16.
For more information, including a live music lineup, visit italianfestnewport.com.
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This article appears in May 31 – Jun 13, 2023.