REPORTER… JOYCE KIM… HAS A LOOK AT TODAY’S EVENT.### # IT’S A MONTEREY TRADITION THAT’S BEEN GOING STRONG FOR NEARLY A CENTURY. FESTA ITALIA IS BACK FOR ITS 92ND YEAR – FILLING CUSTOM HOUSE PLAZA WITH THE FLAVORS, MUSIC, AND SPIRIT OF ITALY. THE THREE-DAY FESTIVAL KICKS OFF SEPTEMBER 5TH, HONORING THE ITALIAN FISHERMEN WHO HELPED BUILD MONTEREY’S HERITAGE. “IT’S A GIFT BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. IT’S FREE. IT’S FREE ADMISSION. YOU COME IN, JUST WANDER AROUND, ENJOY YOURSELF. IT’S REALLY KID FRIENDLY. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE HAD KIDS OUT HERE DANCING ON THE FLOOR LAST NIGHT. LITTLE FOUR AND FIVE YEAR OLDS. THEY WERE HAVING A GREAT TIME WITH THEIR PARENTS.” THE FESTIVAL BEGINS WITH A MASS, PROCESSION, AND THE BLESSING OF THE FLEET. EXPECT ALL THE CLASSICS – CALAMARI, PASTA,CANNOLI – PLUS NEW TREATS LIKE REFRESHING ITALIAN ICES. ISN’T JUST ABOUT FOOD. “HISTORY IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR BLESSING THE FLEET OUT THERE BECAUSE FISHERMEN, IT’S A DANGEROUS JOB OUT THERE.” BUTT TO “SO IT’S A BLESSING THAT THEY COME BACK. AND THEN IT’S ALSO A BLESSING FOR ALL THE FISHERMEN THAT WERE LOST AT SEA. SO THIS IS A GREAT TRADITION THAT WE WANT TO CARRY ON AND GO AHEAD.” THERE’S ALSO BOCCE, VENDORS, AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ALL WEEKEND LONG. THAT INCLUDES PERFORMANCES FROM LOCAL FAVORITES. “IT’S A DEDICATION. BELIEVING IN YOUR OWN, YOUR OWN ORIGINALITY. WE ITALIANS, WE PROMOTE IT, TRY TO PROMOTE OUR HERITAGE. AND THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT’S WHY WE’RE DOING BUT YOU KNOW. MOST OF ALL, YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IN SOMETHING AND TRY TO ACCOMPLISH IT IS THE BIGGEST THING IN THE WORLD.” REPORTING IN MON
Festa Italia celebrates Monterey’s Italian heritage with food and tradition
Festa Italia, a Monterey tradition for nearly a century, returned for its 92nd year at Custom House Plaza, celebrating the Italian fishermen who helped build the city’s heritage with a weekend of festivities.Joe Cardinalli, president of the festival, emphasized the event’s community focus. “It’s a gift back to the community. It’s free. It’s free admission. You come in, just wander around, enjoy yourself. It’s really kid-friendly. I mean, you know, we had kids out here dancing on the floor last night. Little four and five-year-olds. They were having a great time with their parents,” Cardinalli said.The festival commenced with a mass, procession, and the blessing of the fleet, a tradition that holds significant historical importance. “History is really important for blessing the fleet out there because fishermen, it’s a dangerous job out there,” Cardinalli said. “So it’s a blessing that they come back. And then it’s also a blessing for all the fishermen that were lost at sea. So this is a great tradition that we want to carry on and go ahead.”Throughout the weekend, attendees enjoyed classic Italian dishes like calamari, pasta, and cannoli, along with new offerings such as refreshing Italian ices. The celebration also featured bocce, various vendors, and live entertainment, including performances from local favorites.Sebastian Crivello, co-founder of the festival, highlighted the importance of cultural dedication. “It’s a dedication. Believing in your own, your own originality. We Italians promote it, try to promote our heritage. And that, you know, that’s why we’re doing but you know. Most of all, you have to believe in something and try to accomplish it is the biggest thing in the world,” Crivello said.See more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Festa Italia, a Monterey tradition for nearly a century, returned for its 92nd year at Custom House Plaza, celebrating the Italian fishermen who helped build the city’s heritage with a weekend of festivities.
Joe Cardinalli, president of the festival, emphasized the event’s community focus.
“It’s a gift back to the community. It’s free. It’s free admission. You come in, just wander around, enjoy yourself. It’s really kid-friendly. I mean, you know, we had kids out here dancing on the floor last night. Little four and five-year-olds. They were having a great time with their parents,” Cardinalli said.
The festival commenced with a mass, procession, and the blessing of the fleet, a tradition that holds significant historical importance.
“History is really important for blessing the fleet out there because fishermen, it’s a dangerous job out there,” Cardinalli said. “So it’s a blessing that they come back. And then it’s also a blessing for all the fishermen that were lost at sea. So this is a great tradition that we want to carry on and go ahead.”
Throughout the weekend, attendees enjoyed classic Italian dishes like calamari, pasta, and cannoli, along with new offerings such as refreshing Italian ices.
The celebration also featured bocce, various vendors, and live entertainment, including performances from local favorites.
Sebastian Crivello, co-founder of the festival, highlighted the importance of cultural dedication.
“It’s a dedication. Believing in your own, your own originality. We Italians promote it, try to promote our heritage. And that, you know, that’s why we’re doing but you know. Most of all, you have to believe in something and try to accomplish it is the biggest thing in the world,” Crivello said.
See more coverage of top Central Coast stories | Download our app / Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel