The 16th Annual Festa Italiana took place in Ybor City on Sunday, April 7, 2013. Festivities officially kicked off at The Italian Club’s Wines of Italy event the Thursday prior, and the celebration continued each day until the main event at Centennial Park. My work is a huge supporter and sponsor of Festa Italiana which amusingly began as my bosses’ picnic for their friends and family. Today, a staggering 10,000 patrons attend their lil’ Italian festival picnic.
Way before I ever became involved with and worked for Festa, I remember loving the event which can best be described as an overwhelming experience of food, drinks, culture and people. To now officially be a part of a local tradition that honors and preserves a culture’s heritage and traditions is rewarding and very worthwhile.
Viva Festa Italiana!
Photos courtesy of Radko Keleman Photography
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I have a slight obsession with Olly Murs whose Right Place, Right Time album has been receiving ample play on my iPod. Olly rose to fame on the UK version of The X-Factor, and conquered the European charts before storming American shores. His current single “Troublemaker” is rapidly racing up the Billboard charts, and he’ll be playing at The RITZ Ybor next week Wednesday, May 8, 2013.
