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There will be plenty to keep you busy and your belly full at the 42nd annual Sons of Italy John Pirelli Lodge food extravaganza this weekend at Bella Villa Hall.
>> Here’s exactly how to hit all of this weekend’s biggest festivals
As many as 50,000 people are expected to eat their way through the festival, which is one of a handful of HUGE fall festivals the weekend after Labor Day.
Here are six reasons to join the fun:
>> 25 festivals every Daytonian should experience
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
1.) EAT WITH THE FAMILY
Andzik says Italian immigrants began coming to the Dayton area in late 1800s with the largest populations arriving in the 1920s and 1930s. They held manufacturing jobs at places like Reynolds and Reynolds and Frigidare.
Italian Fall Festa is about sharing the best parts about being Italian and Sicilian with all of the Miami Valley, Andzik said.
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
2.) DELIZIOSO GRUB
Most sandwiches are about $5-7. They include sausage, onions, peppers, meatballs, muffaletta and Italian beef.
There will be an assortment of sweets: Italian cakes and cookies, gelato, spumoni, cannoli, soft drinks, etc.
The festival also has a deli booth and will serve favorites like pizza, calzones and Italian breads.
“We make all of that food ourselves,” he said. “We don’t have outside vendors.”
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
3.) GET IT TO GO
Love the food, but can't stay? The Festa will accept to-go lunch orders on Fabulous Friday between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., however, they cannot accept credit cards. So you'll want to have some cash handy when you pick up your food. The lunch menu includes a pasta dinner with meatballs and side salad ($9), pepperoni or cheese pizza ($13), meatball sandwich ($5), and Italian beef sandwich ($7).
>> Get Italian Fall Festa food for carryout lunch on Friday
Credit: Italian Fall Festa
Credit: Italian Fall Festa
4.) SUNDAY FUNDAY
The Meatball Madness 5K run starts at 10 a.m. Sunday and a spaghetti eating contest gets going at 3 p.m.
Run registration is $25 and includes a T-shirt, while supplies last. About 400 runners are expected.
The spaghetti eating contest has three age divisions: 11 and younger, 12 to 17 and 18 and older.
Andzik said the younger kids race to finish a plate, the older kids race to finish several plates and the adult group sees who can eat the most spaghetti in 3 minutes.
If you’d prefer to go at a slower pace at a great price, Sunday also features a spaghetti dinner.
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Credit: Amelia Robinson
5.) BOCCE BALL
The Bella Villa Hall has some of the best bocce courts in Ohio. You can use a court for a few dollars.
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
6.) LIMONE LAGER
Enjoy an exclusive Italian Fall Festa beer while supplies last courtesy of Warped Wing Brewing. The lemon-flavored Limone Lager pairs perfectly with the Italian feast you will encounter at the Festa.
Don’t wait to get yours. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
It has begun! The 42nd ‘Italian Fall Festa’ preparations have begun for this weekend’s big bash. Watch, like & share. Hope to see you there! www.italianfallfesta.com Dayton Most Metro Dayton Dining Dayton.com Dayton 24/7 Now Dayton Magazine Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Ohio Festivals Ohio Tourism Works Ohio Magazine Dayton Local
Posted by Italian Fall Festa on Monday, September 2, 2019
WANT TO GO?
What: Italian Fall Festa
When: Sept. 6 from 6-11 p.m., Sept. 7. from noon to 11 p.m. and Sept. 8 from noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Sons of Italy - Dayton, John Pirelli Lodge #1633, 2625 County Line Road, Kettering
Admission: Free
More info: 937-258-3600 | italianfallfesta.com or facebook.com/ItalianFallFesta
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