Columbus Day weekend, Italian Village was lined with red, green, and white.
For 29 years, the little community, nestled between 4th and Summit, has housed the Columbus Italian Festival. Visitors come from all over the state for a little taste of Italy, open-air markets, live music and cultural art exhibits.
Several colorful attractions decorated the brick streets. Art vendors sold oil paintings, reminiscent of European Romanticism. Traditional Italian kitchens spent the weekend in tents and prepared authentic dishes ranging from pasta broccolini to deep-dish pepperoni pizza.
The historic Saint John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church was the epicenter of the festival. Music performances were scheduled through the course of the day, including Ruffatti organ pieces, accompanying the majestic artwork inside of the church. Renovations were just completed on the one hundred and ten year old building.
“We just finished renovating,” said Gerry Paglione, church parishioner and festival tour guide, “and what we’re really proud of is our bright and cheery color scheme. It’s similar to traditional Italian style.”
Bocci ball took up one corner of the festival, where a weekend long tournament was in full swing. Two tents housed stages with live bands, and in another corner were carnival rides and the Zona Bambini kids’ tent.
The art tent is a new addition to the festival. Kids color, make noodle-necklaces, paint and have the opportunity to meet the Columbus Crew.
“A lot of years we only had rides, so we added an art tent,” said Andy Dominianni, co-chair of Zona Bambini and television news anchor for ABC6, “we’re a close-knit community and enjoy doing hands-on things together.”
The food here is fantastic, he said, recommending antipasto skewers from his brotherhood, the Columbus Italian Club, the main sponsor of the Zona Bambini.
The Columbus Italian Club, celebrating their 30th anniversary, is a social club focused on community service and involvement. It was started by nine men as a Columbus Men’s Organization and has since become a key player in organizing and maintaining social events for the Italian community.
“We really pride ourselves in inviting young people from all around,” said Chris Beardman (Massa), the club’s President, “we are the youngest Italian club in the city.”
But membership in the younger generation is low, he said, and students interested in becoming more involved with their Italian heritage are encouraged to look at the website or come to some of the community outreach events, like the Christmas festival coming in December.
Past the Zona Bambini were street performers playing accordions, flanked by craft tents and a statue of the Santa Maria. Couples danced to the tunes and onlookers cheered while others embraced family with tight hugs.
“The festival has done a lot of expanding,” said Dominianni, “we love having this big celebration every year.”
Tags: Church, Columbus, Festival, Green, Italian, Ohio, Red, White
