The Italian American Society of Peoria will hold its 83rd Annual Italian Summer Festa on Sunday August 12, from 12:00 noon to 7:00pm at Hickory Grove Park inNorth Peoria. (Hickory Grove Road off Knoxville Ave, follow signs).

The Summer Festa Picnic is a long-standing family event held by the Society every year since its founding in 1929 as a time for Italian families to get together for fellowship and support, and has since developed into a non-profit, fun, family-centered community event, bringing a small piece of Italy and its traditions to central Illinois.

The Festa is the major fund raiser for our three scholarship programs. So far, we have given over $70,000 to college students.

Once again, we are honored to have our authentic Italian recipes prepared by Barrack's Cater Inn. The menu will include children's and adult spaghetti meals with salads, also meatball and sausage sandwiches, Italian beef, and of course Italian desserts including Italian Ice and pizzelles. Drinks include Italian and domestic beers, wine, soda, juice, and water. The adult spaghetti meals are only $7 again this year!

Fun, traditional and contemporary music will be provided by Roberto Dietrich and the Peoria Accordion Band. We will again have our Regalia Gift Shop with all kinds of Italian tee shirts, hats, pins, and our own Society cook books, and a silent auction.

There will be Bocce tournaments for adults and children, with prizes awarded.

This year we have added an arts and craft village, and a car show featuring a Fiat 500.

Other events and attractions will include scholarship awards, a silent auction, an inflatable attraction, and various other games. Kids Corner open from 12:30pm to 5:00pm.

Admission is $3.00 at the gate. Children under 12 are free and so is parking.

Contact Dave at 309-383-4684 for special discounts for youth groups of 15 or more.

Further information can be found at our website: www.italianamericansociety.com.