A meatball eating contest, ethnic food and a singing duo from Italy will draw crowds at this weekend's Italian-American Festival starting Friday. About 8,000 people attended last year's event, according to coordinator Joe LaPorte. He's hoping to draw an even bigger crowd this year with new features to the festival which has been an annual attraction for more than a decade.

The festival is sponsored by three Italian-American organizations: Sons of Italy, Unico and Sorelle d'Italia in America. Amerino and Maria, a singing duo, will perform on Saturday at 9 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The Italian couple often perform at a restaurant owned by the brother of Maria Riccipelli, a Southington resident and member of Sorelle d'Italia.

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Source: http://www.myrecordjournal.com/