Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County is excited to announce their 2nd Annual 'Festa Italiana Frederick' to be held on May 17th at Rose Hill Manor in Frederick, Maryland. The festival will feature a variety of delicious homemade Italian foods, desserts, beverages, a wine and beer garden, musical entertainment, a Spaghetti Sauce Cook-Off, kid's activities, fun contests for all ages and much, much more!

Proceeds from the event serve to benefit the charitable, non-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County. Ron Cramer, Executive Director of the Frederick Habitat for Humanity, shares "Our organization is excited to execute this event for a second year. It was such a huge success for Habitat last year, that we know this year will be even bigger and better!

We have really worked hard to bring a little piece of Italy to Frederick with a Bocce Ball Competition, Grape Stomp event, amazing Italian cuisine, Italian heritage literature, and music performances that are sure to get guests moving!"

Hosting three amazing acts, Festa Italiana is one of this summer's most vibrant and diverse entertainment destination ranging from traditional Italian music to orchestra and pop. Italian performer, Roberto Pomili, one of the best double bass players of his generation, will conduct a 13 pieces arches orchestra in a mix of Italian opera, classic, jazz, and tango from 6:30 – 8:00pm. Since 1995 Roberto has had the pleasure of performing in some of the most important concert halls in the world. His last CD concerTango recordando a Piazzolla, which is a tribute to the famous Argentinean composer Astor Piazzolla, sold over 10,000 copies in the USA, predominantly in New York. It will be a true treat to hear!

"The Monaldi Brothers" have gained widespread fame and popularity within the Italian community and throughout the area, playing anywhere from Italian music to classic rock to contemporary bands. The Monaldi Bros. will perform from 11:30 – 1:30pm.
i-Talians will hit the stage with a repertoire of Italian pop-rock from the 60's to the present from 2:30-4:30pm. Based in Washington DC, the band's components are all professionals brought together by their passion for music: the group formed when the "Italians in DC" announced their intention to organize an Italian Festival in May 2011. Since then, the i-Talians have performed at the 2011 and 2012 Italian Festival in DC, Union Jack's, Acre 121, The Matchbox, and at numerous private parties always sharing a highly enjoyable repertoire with Italian ex-pats and American audiences alike.

The Festa Italiana Grape Stomping competition will show participants firsthand how wine was made the old-fashioned way- with a pair of bare feet! Contest participation is first come, first stomp at 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, and 4:00pm. The challenge is to see who can produce the most juice from the grapes in the barrel in just two minutes. The contestant whose carafe has the most juice after the stomping round is the winner. Winners of each round will receive a fun prize. So come and take off your socks, and let the juices flow!

After stomping try your hand at "Italian bowling," Bocce Ball! This ancient game requires skill, strategy, and just a little luck. The tournament is from 2:00 – 4:30pm. The cost is $25 per team. Each team member receives admission to the festival. The winning team will receive one set of bocce ball per person.

Festa Italiana is not just for the adults, kids will have a blast with the many kid-friendly activities planned. From 11:00am- 5:00pm, kids can enjoy in any and all of the following activities:
• Face painting
• Bocce ball
• Soccer World Cup tournament with prizes
• Make an Italian carnival mask
• Macaroni art
• Pizza dough tossing demonstration
• Grape stomp

What would an Italian Festival be without learning about the Italian culture? Attendees can peruse the array of books on Italian art, cooking, architecture and literature on display provided by the Frederick County Public Library. Take a photo journey of the 48 UNESCO Italian landmarks and watch clips from iconic Italian films from "La dolce vita" to 2014 Oscar nominee "La grande bellezza."

Attendees can also hear from Alfred A. Amato, a 90 year old faculty member at Frederick Community College, who will speak on Italian immigration in America at 5:30pm. Alfred, a former teacher and technical writer, is a WWII veteran. The GI Bill enabled him to obtain a BA in English literature from Fordham University and a master's in American civilization from the University of Pennsylvania. He teaches classes on immigration at the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Frederick Community College. The notes from those classes form the basis of his book, Immigration: A History of Controversy.

Festa Italiana Frederick is a rain or shine event to be held from 11am to 8pm. Admission is $5, and children ages 2 and under are free. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.festaItalianafrederick.com.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit ecumenical Christian housing ministry, who invite people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Habitat seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. For more information about Habitat for Humanity, please visit our website at www.frederickhabitat.org or call (301) 698-2449.