The Italian American Museum of Cleveland will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Friday, November 6, 2026, with a special gala bringing together Italian American history, sports, music, and culinary traditions in the heart of Cleveland’s Little Italy.
The celebration, titled “$5K for 5 Years,” begins at 5:30 p.m. at the museum, located at 12111 Mayfield Road, recognizing five years of dedication to preserving and sharing the Italian American experience.
One highlight will be the presentation of Cleveland boxing legend Joey Maxim’s championship belt by Ron Onesti, director of the Italian American Sports Museum. The historic artifact will remain on display for two weeks.
Guests will also have a final opportunity to explore “Built in the Neighborhood: Italian American Boxers of Cleveland,” an exhibition honoring athletes whose achievements helped shape the city’s sporting heritage.
At 7 p.m., the festivities continue with dinner and an anniversary program featuring Angelo’s Nido Italia, followed at 8 p.m. by a live performance from Italian American jazz singer Vanessa Racci, whose work has appeared on Netflix.
Individual tickets cost $75, while sponsorship opportunities range from $500 to $5,000. The highest sponsorship level includes a table for 10 guests and permanent recognition inside the museum.
Beyond celebrating an important milestone, the gala will support the museum’s ongoing mission to preserve Italian American stories and introduce future generations to the community’s remarkable contributions to Cleveland.
Registration is available at the museum’s official website
