Staff Reports | Happenings & Events
The Italian Association of Arizona will host its 11th annual Italian Festival at a new Scottsdale venue with a two-day celebration scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8.
The festival is relocating to Scottsdale Civic Center, 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., providing additional space for food vendors, wine tastings, live entertainment, merchandise vendors and other activities. The larger venue will allow for an expanded event experience, according to a press release.
“We are beyond excited to host our beloved festival in a new space that gives guests more room to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, music, wine, vendors and activations,” Dario Soldan, founder of the Italian Association of Arizona and event organizer, said. “We’re also bringing back our popular ‘La Strada del Vino’ theme, or Street of Wine, to transport guests to Italy and celebrate our culture in the heart of Scottsdale.”
The event will feature more than 30 wines from regions across Italy and expanded vendor participation as the festival continues to grow.
New additions this year include the festival’s first VIP section. The VIP experience includes three pasta dishes prepared by chef Francesco Allegro, three wine or cocktail selections available exclusively to VIP guests, general admission and six wine-tasting tickets for La Strada del Vino.
The Italian Association also is introducing a bocce ball tournament on Saturday featuring two courts. Teams of four can register for $100, which includes general admission for each participant. On Sunday, local Italian restaurants will compete in the tournament.
New participating food vendors include Sogno Toscano and The Italiano. Returning vendors include Virtu Honest Craft, Pomo Pizzeria, Mamma Lucy, Marcellino Ristorante and others.
Merchant vendors will include Outrageous Oils, The Biscotti Box and Mamma Letizia, along with Italian skincare products from Allora Beauty and accessories from Sourced Italy and Bella Capri.
Entertainment will take place on a main stage and will feature performances by Italian opera soprano Ripalta Bufo, trilingual pop artist ILIANA, Little Rascal and street performers, including a 15-member flag-twirling group from Asti, Italy.
The festival will also include a children’s area with face painting, balloon twisting and other activities.
Attendees can choose from three ticket packages. The De Cecco VIP Lounge package is available for $185 during presale and will increase to $250 during the week of the festival.
The La Strada del Vino package includes general admission, six wine-tasting tickets, a commemorative wine glass and a lanyard for $54.99 during presale and $75 at the regular price. General admission tickets are $14.99 in advance and $30 at the door. Children 12 and younger will be admitted free.
