“For 38 years, the Columbus Italian Festival brings ‘Faith, Family and Friends’ (our festival motto) together, everything Italian: with traditions, food and entertainment for the Central-Ohio Community,” states Mike Cua, the festival’s 2017 Co-Chair along with his son, Co-Chair Mario Cua. Every year the grounds of St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church host the exciting weekend. This year’s festival theme is “One Culture, Many Regions.”

The Italian language students from Bishop Watterson High School have worked diligently in their 2016/17 school year to successfully prepare for their public presentations on the regions of Italy in their own festival booth from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 7. “I’m so proud of my students’ hard work and passionate pursuit of Italian language and culture. I’m honored that Bishop Watterson HS has been chosen to represent the thriving Italian programs in the Diocese and in Columbus,” Kelly Lombardo Mathews, Italian Language Teacher, Bishop Watterson HS, said.

The festival will feature many Italian performers including the San Giovanni Dancers, Three Gents and a Lady: Elio Scaccio & The Rick Brunetto Big Band and other local musicians. The Italian Cultural Booth and the Bocce Competition are also among the highlights of the 2017 festival. The Columbus Piave Club and the Columbus Italian Festival host the Columbus Day Parade on October 8 at 1 p.m. Prior to these festivities, The Taste of Little Italy kicks off on Monday, October 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The 38th Columbus Italian Festival will be held this upcoming October 6-8, 2017. Hamlet and Lincoln Streets. FRI 5 – 11 p.m., SAT 12 – 11 p.m., SUN 12 – 7 p.m.