The Italian American Cultural Society’s Festa Italiana brings food, fun, families to Freedom Hill County Park from Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 16.

Festa Italiana is FREE to attend. Parking is $10 daily. Festival hours are: Friday, July 14 from 6-11 p.m.; Saturday, July 15 from Noon to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, July 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Italian music and heritage is on the menu for the 2017 Festa Italiana. For three days this summer, the entire family can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Italy. More than 30 food vendors serve the best Italian food in metro Detroit. Taste the finest Italian wines, beer and cocktails.

Crowds come for the taste of Italy, enjoy annual contests for Cannoli Eating or Meatball Tasting, and they stay for the live music. Take in the sounds of national and local performers presented on the Lucido Family Stage. The 2017 headlining acts include Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti, of America’s Got Talent, and Ray Massa & The Euro Rhythms. Also taking the stage this year will be Mark Randisi, Aaron Caruso, Pino Marelli, The Simone Vitale Band, Tre Belle and many more.

Festa Italiana will take over Freedom Hill County Park for three fun-filled, family-friendly days again this July. It’s a fantastic event for all ages and will feature a Family Fun Zone with bounce houses, a zip line, rock climbing wall and more. Festa Italiana is presented by The Italian American Cultural Society, Andiamo Restaurant Group, the Italian-American Chamber of Commerce of Michigan and the Lucido family. Entertainment for the 2017 Festa Italiana is made possible by Genesis Cadillac of St. Clair Shores and Villa Bella luxury retirement community.

Performers on the Lucido Family Stage this year include:
Friday, July 14, 2017
6-6:45 p.m. Opening: Anthems; Parade of Clubs; Coro Italiano; Emcee Dino Valle
7-8 p.m. Tre Bella
8:15-9 p.m. Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti, formerly of America’s Got Talent.
9:15-11 p.m. Ray Massa & The Euro Rhythms

Saturday, July 15, 2017
Noon to 1 p.m. Anthems; Coro Italiano; Dino Valle; Aaron Caruso
1:15-1:30 p.m. IACS Children’s Choir directed and accompanied by Dianna Guglielmetti
1:30-2:30 p.m. Meatball Contest
2:30-4 p.m. Italian American Idol Contest Age Categories: Up to 8 years; 9-12 years; 13-17 years; 18 & over.
4-5 p.m. Tre Bella
5:15-6:15 p.m. Bellini Opera Foundation, Phantom Mask & Opera, Eva Evola, Aaron Caruso, Dino Valle, Gina D’Alessio.
6:30-7 p.m. Anna Hiliard
7-8 p.m. Ray Massa & The Euro Rhythms
8:15-9:15 p.m. Aaron Caruso with Francesco Cavallini on mandolin, David Passalaqua on accordion and Billy Cairo on drums.
9:30-11 p.m. Ray Massa & The Euro Rhythms

Sunday, July 16, 2017
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be hosted at the park with celebrant Fr. Enzo Addari from St. Louis Center, Coro Italiano and Cantors Aaron Caruso, Dino Valle and Eva Evola.
12;30-1 p.m. Opening anthems with Coro Italiano, Dino Valle and Aaron Caruso.
1-1:45 p.m. The Beautiful Baby Contest
1:45-2:30 p.m.  Cannoli Eating Contest
2:30-3:30 p.m. Simone Vitale Band
3:45-4:45 p.m. The Sounds of Frank Sinatra with Mark Randisi
5-6 p.m. Pino Marelli
6:30-7:15 p.m. Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti, formerly of America’s Got Talent.
7:30-10 p.m. Ray Massa & The Euro Rhythms
* Entertainment schedule subject to change 

Taste your way through Italy with a variety of dishes from the area’s popular restaurants and marketplaces.

The Italian American Cultural Society, Andiamo Restaurant Group and the Italian-American Chamber of Commerce of Michigan and the Lucido family sponsor Festa Italiana. Entertainment for the 2017 festival is made possible by Genesis Cadillac of St. Clair Shores and Villa Bella luxury retirement community.    

Visit the Italian American Cultural Society at www.iacsonline.com or www.freedomhill.com for more information.