Com.It.Es (Comitato per gli italiani all’estero) and Comitato Tricolore Italiani nel Mondo will host the 15th annual Festa della Repubblica on June 4 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii in Chicago. The event celebrates the birth of the Italian republic and bears the distinction of being the only such celebration outside of Italy to feature a parade through the streets.

Festivities will begin with an 11 a.m. Mass at the shrine followed by a parade to Garibaldi Park with the Sicilian Band of Chicago for a wreath-laying ceremony with the consulate general of Italy. Participants will return to the shrine for a street festival featuring Italian music, food for purchase and a vintage Italian auto show. This year’s festa celebrates the 100th anniversary of Italian aeronautics.