MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 21, 2019 – The 30th annual Memphis Italian Festival is scheduled for Thursday, May 30 through Saturday, June 1 at Marquette Park, 4946 Alrose Ave. The family-friendly festival features Italian food, live music and a variety of games.
The festival gates open May 30 at 4 pm with the Luigi 5K following at 7 pm. Advance registration for the 5K is available online through May 29 for $30. Registration is $35 the day of the event. Race entry includes admission to the festival.
Friday and Saturday night, festival attendees can dine at Luigi’s Café, with meals provided by Venice Kitchen on Friday night and Pete & Sam’s Saturday night. Service begins at 6 p.m. Additional food will be available at the Piazza di Pasta food court, and Luigi’s Market by Lucchesi’s will sell Italian meats, pasta, cheese and bread.
Musical entertainment includes Ghost Town Blues Band Thursday night, Hope Clayburn & Soul Scrimmage Friday night and Ingram Hill as the headliner Saturday night, taking the stage at 9:30 p.m. The full listing of performances is available at www.memphisitalianfestival.com.
The festival includes cooking demonstrations, volleyball and cornhole tournaments, grape stomping contests and bocce ball. A craft fair will feature more than 40 vendors. Kids’ activities will take place in Luigi Land and include carnival games and rides, face painting, character appearances, bounce houses and evening movies.
“This festival is like a huge Italian family gathering,” said Kenny Gonzales, Festival Chairman. “It’s three days of fun for the whole family, with something for everyone. Where else can you see grape stomping, play bocce ball while enjoying fantastic Italian food and listening to great music? We hope everyone will come be Italian with us!”
Gates open at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 30, and admission is $10. Friday and Saturday admission is $10 and gates open at 11 a.m. Parking is free with shuttles running from the Audubon Woods business campus at Park Ave. and Perkins.
The festival is brought to you by Chuck Hutton Chevrolet. Proceeds benefit Holy Rosary Catholic School and Parish.
For more information, visit www.memphisitalianfestival.com or contact Jeff Gardino at (901) 409-6852.
