Festa Italiana, the granddaddy of city ethnic festivals, runs from noon to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday in South Grant Park at Arvey Field (between Lake Shore and Columbus Drives at Roosevelt Road). Admission at the gate is $6; children under 12 are admitted free.
This year`s fest is a celebration of the quincentennial of Columbus`
voyage. More than 20 Italian-American sculptors and painters will present exhibitions of their work throughout the festival, and each will include at least one piece inspired by Columbus.
”I`m not sure exactly what we`ll get,” says the art event`s organizer, Dominic Candeloro, who is also the former president of the Italian American Cultural Center. ”On one hand, Columbus was a hero, altering the course of history; on the other, we now know that by today`s standards he wasn`t such a nice guy.”
You can find out by meeting the great explorer in person. Columbus appears along with Queen Isabella, King Ferdinand and Leonardo da Vinci as actors from the Lifeline Theatre, Second City and other companies perform historical monologues.
”Perhaps we`ll find out what Queen Isabella gave Columbus besides the financial backing to explore the new world,” says Lifeline ensemble member Gregg Mierow.
After their 30-minute performances, which will be held at various times throughout the festival, cast members will be quizzed by the audience on such questions as what did Columbus do for sea sickness?
For documented facts concerning the voyages of Columbus and how they affected the world of his era, a traveling version of the Smithsonian Institute`s Natural History Museum`s ”Seeds of Change” exhibit will be displayed at the festival.
It includes 32 posters and a video. An exhibit of prints and drawings on loan from the Italian Cultural Center will also depict the life of Columbus.
One thing that hasn`t changed a heck of a lot since the days of Columbus is spaghetti, which will be plentiful. More than 30 booths will offer food from every region of Italy.
Fireworks will be at about 9:45 p.m. on Friday and at about 9:30 p.m. on Saturday in conjunction with Venetian Night.
The fireworks will present an Italian theme. ”It`s no coincidence that there will be lots of reds and greens,” says Festa Italiana chairman Anthony Fornelli, referring to two of the colors found on the Italian flag (the third color on the flag is white).
The fireworks will be choreographed to music made famous by popular Italian-American musicians. Although speakers will be set up, the city`s special events office recommends bringing along a small radio and headphones, since WNUA (95.5 FM) Radio will simulcast the fireworks display.
Fest entertainment will continue non-stop on two stages. Acts include WLUP Radio`s Kevin Matthews along with Ed Zeppelin on Friday, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons on Saturday and Dick Contino Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A mini-kids festival will include a petting zoo and pony rides from noon to 5 p.m. And a 9-hole miniature golf course stays open until dusk. All kids events run all three days and are free.
Amerital Unico Club of Chicago, a service organization of Italian American businessmen, organizes a corps of about 40 volunteers to run Festa Italiana. Proceeds from this year`s fest will be donated to several charities, including the Stritch School of Medicine, Children`s Memorial Hospital, the Near Northwest Side Civic Committee and the Villa Scalabrini Home for the Aging in Northlake.
During the last 11 years, Fornelli says, Unico has given away nearly $1 million to charities, all raised from Festa Italiana proceeds.
While free shuttles will operate from the Soldier Field east lot (off Lake Shore Drive) and the Monroe Street Parking Garage to the Festa gate, public transportation is recommended. For information concerning additional bus and/or train lines to Festa Italiana or Venetian Night, call 312-836-7000. What: Festa Italiana
Where: South Grant Park at Arvey Field, between Lake Shore and Columbus drives at Roosevelt Road
When: Noon to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Fireworks at about 9:45 p.m. Friday, and at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
How much: $6; children under age 12 free
