Via Productions Inc. announced the return of the Taste of Little Italy, celebrating its 16th anniversary, on February 17-19, 2023. The cultural festival, known for its Italian ambiance, national Italian American entertainers, and authentic food, will be offering free admission to thank the community for all the years of support. The festival will be held in Tradition Square. The Taste of Little Italy is the Treasure Coast’s largest Italian festival.
Festival hours throughout the weekend are Friday, February 17th, 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM; Saturday, February 18th, 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM; and Sunday, February 19th, 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM. Admission & Parking are Free.
Now in its 16th year, the ‘Taste of Little Italy’ presented by Galbani Cheese promises a weekend filled with entertainment, food, family fun, and more served up Italian-style! Each year, the ‘Taste of Little Italy’ draws three generations of families on the Treasure Coast, promising something special for everyone to enjoy and remember as they create memorable moments that last a lifetime.
“It's an honor to share old traditions and create new memories with all the families that come out as we celebrate our heritage and the accomplishments of Italians and Italian Americans,” said Jerry Somma, Co-Founder, and Producer of the Festival.
Cheers to the next 16 years; we will offer new areas for the festival. The Aperol Spritz Piazza and the Voga Prosecco and Bellini Lounge, a great place to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of The Taste of Little Italy.
Experience national and local chefs that come out to the Taste of Little Italy and demonstrate how to cook specialty Italian dishes. This year, The La Cucina Galbani® Cooking stage will be something everyone enjoys. The Galbani “kitchen” will be filled with nationally known chefs most notable, Galbani Celebrity Chef Marco Sciortino from the hit TV show “Come Dine with Me” and YouTube favorite Anthony Acampa from “Fats Where the Flavor is” cooking and presenting the Voga wine seminars, and from Port St. Lucie, Pasquale Lamarra of Meeting Street Steak & Seafood and Pastaio the hottest new restaurants on the Treasure Coast as they create special Italian dishes right before your eyes with cooking demonstrations throughout the weekend!
This year, you can reserve party options with a Private VIP Villa located near the stage for your enjoyment, including a covered area, large table, eight seats, waiter/waitress service, and eight complimentary Aperol Spitz's, or enjoy reserved pod seating with four chairs, table including waiter/waitress service.
For the entire family, there will be festival rides and games for all ages. Little Smiles will be on site with fun kids’ activities. Relax, sit, eat and enjoy in the Humana Family Picnic area throughout the weekend.
Entertainment
- The Taste is pleased to announce the Masters of Ceremonies –“J-Bird” Jason Pennington and on-air personality from the KVJ show on 979WRMF with “Panda” Kevin Sinicki.
- The celebration kicks off on the Mattamy Homes stage with a Friday night freestyle party with Angelo Venuto and featuring Cynthia, known for her 90’s hits “Dreamboy/Dreamgirl,” “Change on Me,” “Endless Nights,” and “Thief of Hearts”, and Wil &More with “You’ll Never Find Another Love.” These electronic sounds will have everyone dancing to the music spinning by DJ Anthony Mangini.
- Saturday Night 80s Party will feature a tribute to the material girl, Madonna featuring Blonde Ambition performing decades of pop hits for all ages. Also performing, The Voice of Romance, Franco Corso, Angelo Venuto, and back by popular demand, Austin Giorgio, known for TV fame from NBC’s The Voice. His smooth sounds will seduce the audience with popular songs made famous by Sinatra, Dean Martin, and other classics.
- Sunday at the Taste, the headliners will be The Atlantic City Boys. They will have you on your feet dancing and singing Oh What a Night! with the sounds and hits by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons featuring the Atlantic City Boys. Performing “Sherry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” and many more. Also performing will be The Dueling Accordions, Marc Turo doing his show Lyrics of The Legends, and young sensation Aviana Rossi.
The Food – Now that’s Italian!
With every step in Tradition Square, visitors will find food vendors serving authentic Italian dishes- from fresh pasta, pizza, sausage, and peppers. Then, enjoy a not-to-be-missed Italian dessert with homemade zeppoles with powdered sugar, sfogliatella, and cannoli.
About Little Smiles – The Taste of Little Italy’s official Charity
The Taste of Little Italy is committed each year to support Little Smiles, an organization that works tirelessly to bring smiles to the faces of children by giving kids a chance to be kids during difficult times. The nonprofit provides gifts and fun activities to children impacted by serious illness, homelessness, or tragedy. To learn more, visit www.littlesmilesfl.org.
About Galbani Cheese
First crafted in Italy by Egidio Galbani in 1882—Galbani® cheeses have long been the #1 cheese brand in Italy. For over 130 years, Galbani cheese has been delighting families all over Italy. Today the Galbani brand brings its timeless tradition from Italy to the American table with the delicious taste of mozzarella, ricotta, fresh mozzarella, and snack cheese made and sold in the United States. Galbani® cheese is a leading brand of the Lactalis American Group, Inc. (“LAG”). Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, LAG is a subsidiary of Parmalat S.p.A., an Italian public entity majority-owned by France-based Groupe Lactalis - the world's largest producer of premium cheese. LAG produces a wide array of cheese products, including a variety of specialty cheese available to retail, food service, and industrial customers. For more info on Galbani, please visit www.galbanicheese.com. ©2018 Lactalis American Group, Inc., Buffalo, NY 14220. Galbani is a ® of Egidio Galbani S.r.l.
About the Taste of Little Italy
It began 16 years ago with a dream and a vision to create an experience rich in Italian culture to share. With family tradition and values at the core of its mission, the Taste continues to serve as the signature event at Tradition that brings together generations in a celebration of marked contributions by great Italians. Through food, music, art, and history, over the three-day festival, we remain steadfast to encouraging the importance of bringing together the community, rooted in the importance of family. We remain dedicated to remembering our ancestors' hardships in migrating to this great country and are proud of our Italian American heritage. for more information, visit www.tasteoflittleitaly.net.
