SerpApi.Org
The Ciao Ragazzi! Festa D'Italia took place on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 at Fireman's Field in Spencerport.
This was the first year of the festival, a celebration of both Italian heritage and Rochester’s connections to Italian culture.
Throughout the weekend, guests could listen to live music, participate in a game of tombola and watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final live on a 16-foot screen.
Fireman's Field was transformed into a piazza adorned with red, green and white decorations. Ciao Ragazzi! guests wore their favorite football jerseys as they came together to watch Spain defeat Argentina in the World Cup Final.
Festival-goers had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of Italian food from local vendors, including:
- Hand-held pizza cones, cheesecakes and cannoli from Napoli's
- Arancini, eggplant sliders and meatball sliders from Chef's Catering
- Prosciutto plates from the Italian American Community Center
- Gelato from Forno Tony
Ciao Ragazzi! attendees had the chance to buy products from the festival's farmers market, provided by Homesteads for Hope. They could also purchase the festival's exclusive toasted onion and garlic pasta sauce.
Festival-goers could participate in an interactive map where they could add where in Italy they are from, their family is from or where they want to vacation. There were also free copies of L'Italo-Americano, an Italian-American newspaper, for guests to take.
The event had something for guests of all ages. While kids and families played bocce together, adults enjoyed Aperol spritzes at the Aperol-sponsored station.
For updates about Ciao Ragazzi! Festa D'Italia, follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram.
Erin Jones is a Democrat and Chronicle intern covering food and retail. You can reach her on Instagram or email her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Photos: New Italian festival brings food, music, soccer to Spencerport
