While Cincinnati is well-known for its German heritage, a large number of Italians immigrated to our region in the late 1800s and throughout the 1900s and also helped shape our customs and culture. And that extends beyond your favorite three, or four, Italian restaurants. The CincItalia! festival taking place this weekend, May 31 to June 2, at Harvest Home Park in Cheviot, celebrates our area's Italian heritage.

The festival benefits St. Catharine of Siena Catholic School in Westwood. Joining Cincinnati Edition to discuss how Italian immigrants have influenced our region over the years is School Amici teacher and Italian heritage session moderator at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Cincinnati, Gerardo Perrotta.