IRON MOUNTAIN DOWNTOWN Development Authority Program Director Mindy Meyers, left, and DDA Event Coordinator Kenzie Williamsen show off the special 15th anniversary wine glasses for the 15th of the Italian Festival. The event takes place on Saturday from noon to 11 pm at the Iron Mountain Center stage. (Photo by Terri Castelaz/Daily News)
IRON MOUNTAIN — Iron Mountain will celebrate “Fifteenth Anniversary of the Italian Holiday” on Saturday.
For 15 years, the Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority has hosted the annual Festa Italiana to honor the region’s rich Italian heritage.
This year’s festivities begin Saturday at noon, with doors closing at 11 p.m. on the Iron Mountain Center Stage. After opening remarks, Mike Izzo and his son, Teddy, will sing “God bless America.”
“They will sing in Italian to start us off.” Iron Mountain DDA Program Director Mindy Meyers said.
Meyers said they have planned a full day of entertainment and activities for the whole family.
IRON MOUNTAIN DOWNTOWN Development Authority Program Director Mindy Meyers, left, and DDA Event Coordinator Kenzie Williamsen prepare the merchandise rack for Saturday’s Italian Fest. New this year, they will offer “Yooper Italian” and “Quindicesimo Anniversario” shirts. The event takes place on Saturday from noon to 11 pm at the Iron Mountain Center stage. (Photo by Terri Castelaz/Daily News)
“It will be a great celebration of the Italian family,” she said “It’s pretty exciting.”
Classic duo Jan and Gino will perform from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, with opera singer Anastasia Lee on stage from 2pm to 3pm.
Blues band Kind of Blues will entertain the crowd from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, with popular variety group Next Myle closing out the evening from 7pm to 11pm.
“We have a great lineup, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Meyers said.
UP Dance Academy returns again for a performance at 5:30 p.m
In addition to the music, they are bringing back some traditional contests from the Italian Festa.
The Grape Stomp contest begins at 3:30 p.m., with the Italian Dinner Raffle at 4:40 p.m.
This year’s Noodle Kiss competition, which starts at 5:15 p.m., has been modified to accommodate COVID-19 guidelines.
“We’ll have participants try to drink a bowl of oiled noodles with their hands behind their backs.” DDA event coordinator Kenzie Williamsen noted that in the past the competition was a two-person team trying to replicate the “noodle kiss” scene from Disney’s classic animated film, “The Lady and the Tramp.”
“Audiences love watching these contests – everyone enjoys them,” Meyers said.
The DDA is working with Mountain Media House to do a photo challenge. Italian festival-goers are encouraged to take photos with mobile phones and post on social networks (Facebook, Instagram or TikTok) with the hashtag #yooperitalian. Mountain Media House will select its favorite from all submissions. The winner will receive a gift basket from the DDA.
“We want to see our ‘Yooper Italians’ celebrate their heritage at Italian Fest.” Meyers said.
Michael Loduca will return for a wine tasting showcasing eight different selections made in Italy. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20, which includes a special 15th anniversary wine glass along with Loduca tastings.
In addition to wine, they will have all the favorite beers, including Peroni, an Italian beer. They will also offer a variety of hard seltzers, teas and more. And this year’s novelty will be its craft beer station. “If you missed the Brew Fest, here’s your chance to get some special beers,” Meyers said.
The DDA has recovered its private label wine, the Italian Fest Lambrusco. Bottles will be available for $15.
It wouldn’t be an Italian gathering without authentic cuisine. Local food vendors Crispigna’s Italian Market and Northside Noodle Company are working with Spiro’s to offer traditional dishes, along with Dulce Nulla bringing cannoli, a classic Italian pastry.
Albert Santoni of Dickinson Homes has volunteered to host a booth from Sassoferrato, Iron Mountain’s sister city in Italy. They will have a large map of Italy so attendees can pinpoint where their family originated.
“We’ll have a display to see where a lot of our Italian family comes from, which is another exciting new feature.” Meyers said.
From noon to 4 p.m., a free children’s area will open, with bounces, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and a magician. “Kids can also make their own noodle necklace,” said Williamson.
At 3pm, children can compete in the Noodle Leaning Tower competition.
There will be a separate tent for new mothers to feed themselves as well as take a break from the sun.
A large number of volunteers will be dressed in the venue “Italian Party Volunteer” team, Williamsen said.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the DDA office at 906-774-8534 or through the Iron Mountain DDA Facebook page.
“We are very excited about our volunteers and treat them like a big family,” Meyers said.
Event sponsors include LiUNA (Laborers International Union of North America) Local 1329, Iron Mountain Area Tourism, First National Bank & Trust, Erickson Jewelers, Northern Interstate Bank, Dickinson Homes, Slumberland Furniture, Mountain Media House and 41 Lumber.
The DDA reminds the community that Italian Fest is its largest and longest-running fundraiser.
“All funds raised go directly back into our town centre,” Meyers stressed.
The DDA annually provides assistance, such as grants for downtown and facade assistance programs, and hosts micro-events throughout the year, such as Girls Night Out and the Christmas Walk.
“This year we are featuring a Pumpkin Walk in October,” Meyers said. “All of this is possible because of our great festivals in downtown Iron Mountain.”
Admission is $10 at the door, with children 12 and under admitted free.
As a partner with the Dickinson Tour on Saturday morning, ride participants receive free Italian Fest admission with their race wristband.
The DDA will have a merchandise station selling t-shirts, wine, cookbooks and more. To recognize the special anniversary, they will sell “Italian Yooper” i “Fifteenth Birthday” T-shirts Youth sizes will also be available.
Anyone unable to attend the festival but would like to purchase a shirt can email mindy@ downtownironmountain.com.
But Meyers and Williamsen encourage coming downtown to get a feel for what this festival is all about.
“It’s so much more than just wine, there’s all kinds of fun activities, great entertainment and delicious food,” Meyers said. “But really, it’s about bringing our community together, experiencing this time with each other, your ‘family,’ and celebrating our Italian heritage that we have in Upper Michigan.”
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