2015 Italian Heritage Festival; 11 am – 4 pm, September 19th, the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn

Aug 09, 2015 1789

Back for a sixth year celebrating rich, colorful, Italian culture, is the annual Festival that honors the Feast of St. Gennaro, as celebrated by the Italian-American Club of Hilton Head (IACHH). Saturday, September 19th from 11am to 4pm, join the fun outdoors at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn.


Offering something to please everyone, the Festival has grown each year because it appeals to all interests, from cultural awareness, to satisfying the appetite. "Italians treat their communities as family. The proceeds go to local charities and scholarships, and no one leaves our event hungry," says festival chair, Paul Caimano, who expects a crowd of about 4,000 this year and has hopes of one day expanding to a weekend-long festival.


Food booths will line the Honey Horn pathways, with local restaurants serving up portions of their signature dishes. The festival will also feature cooking demonstrations, as well as volunteers preparing traditional Italian dessert favorites and crowd-pleasers like cannoli and zeppoli.


Because all good Italians know that there is more to Italy then just their fabulous food, the festival will offer educational booths, like an ancestry expert, automobile exhibits, a children's play area with an inflatable water slide, Italian arts and crafts, such as hand-made ceramics, as well as other Italian merchandise.


Entertainment for the day will include music and good sport. A bocce court will be set up and there will be a dunk tank as well as a pizza wheel where patrons can win gift certificates to local pizzerias. Competitions will include grape stomping and pizza eating, while the Kid's Zone will keep the younger crowd busy with plenty of inflatable fun. A Silent Auction will feature an array of items including rounds of golf, jewelry, gift baskets, and trips. This year's musical entertainment will come from the professional singing of Larry Tannelli and friends.

"We're grateful for the local support and turn-out each year," says IACHH president, John De Cecco. "The IACHH is proud to give back to the community that gives so generously at all our events."


Tickets are $6 at the gate and in advance and parking is free (handicap parking is available). If you have questions, email or call Paul Caimano at [email protected], 412-897-1148. For more information about the Italian-American Club of Hilton Head Island, membership application, photos of prior festivals, and fundraising events, visit the website at, www.iachh.org, or email [email protected] to get involved.


WHAT: Sixth Annual Italian Heritage Festival
WHERE: Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, Hilton Head, South Carolina
WHEN: 11 am – 4 pm, Saturday, September 19, 2015

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