They clapped along to Sicilian folk songs. Sipped varietals from local Italian-American wine makers. Laughed as locals gamely stepped into barrels to stomp grapes. Explored family histories. Watched the art of pizza tossing. And ate thousands of servings of sausage, spaghetti, meatballs and cannoli.
San Jose’s History Park is a sea of red, white and green this weekend as the Italian Family Festa marks its 41st year. The celebration of Italian culture, put on by the Italian American Heritage Foundation, continues until 6 p.m. today with live music, children’s arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations and a cultural village featuring the history of Italians in the Santa Clara Valley.
Radio host Lissa Kreisler, left, announces the city mayors from San Jose, Matt Mahan, back left, Milpitas, Carmen Montano, and Santa Clara, Lisa Gillmor, right, before the start of a grape stomping competition during the Italian Family Fiesta at History Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Among the musical performers set to appear on the Roma Stage are John De Mers (aka the Bay Area Sinatra) at noon, Mike Annuzzi at 1:30 p.m. and the Anthony “Nino” Lane Band from 4 to 6 p.m. At the wine garden, the Gold Money Band will play from 1 to 4 p.m.
Demos include the making of Sausage and Spinach Bread at noon with IAHF chef Joe Lucito, the making of gnudi at 2 p.m. with chef Eddie Zencirci of Milan restaurant; and a 3 p.m. seminar on pasta.
Admission is free. The venue is located at 1650 Senter Road, San Jose; www.italianfamilyfestasj.org
Visitors enjoy food and drinks during the Italian Family Fiesta at History Park in San Jose on Saturday. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Ludovico Cassar, left, of Gilroy, his brother Giovanni Cassar, of Newark and Joe Tadder, of San Jose, play “Scopa,” an Italian card game, as Delia Schizzano looks on during the Italian Family Fiesta at History Park in San Jose on Saturday. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, left, takes part in a grape stomping competition with Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano and Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor during the Italian Family Fiesta at History Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. Mahan won the contest followed by Montano and Gillmor in last place. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor, left, Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan stand next to their jars with grape juice after a grape stomping competition during the Italian Family Fiesta at History Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. Mahan won the contest followed by Montano and Gillmor in last place. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, left, celebrates after winning a grape stomping competition with Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano and Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor during the Italian Family Festa at History Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Isaac Matteis, 4, shows off his mask and a collar as his father, Craig Matteis, of San Jose, looks on during the Italian Family Festa. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Singer Michela Musolino performs during the Italian Family Festa. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Spectators applaud for singer Michela Musolino and her band. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
