A taste of Italy in IM

Italian Fest returns to the downtown Saturday

IRON MOUNTAIN -- Italians love to come together and celebrate. Whether you're a fan of authentic cuisine, rich wines, live music or just some silliness, the 14th annual Italian Fest is fun for the whole family.

The day, full of Italy culture and tradition, kicks off at noon Saturday in the parking lot across from the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain.

"There is going to be some new things due to safety precautions, but most of traditional activities are still take place," said Mindy Wittock, Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority program director.

"The day will be filled with lots of music, dancing and fun," Wittock said. "There is a little something for everyone."

The event, sponsored by Local 1329 of the Michigan Laborers' Training and Apprenticeship Institute, or LiUNA, has full slate of activities with an Italian flair planned until 11 p.m.

Opening ceremonies begin at noon. Local duo Jan and Gino will play from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.; Anastasia is on from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Kind of Blues takes stage from 3 to 6 p.m.; and Safe Sax closes out the evening from 7 to 10 p.m.

"We are really excited to have all these great performers," Wittock said.

A children's area, sponsored by First National Bank & Trust, will be available from noon to 4 p.m. and includes bounce houses, balloon animals, activities and face painting.

This year the festival will feature its own private-label lambrusco wine bottled by Lo Duca Wines. "We will be selling a limited quantity of these bottles labeled with the DDA Italian Fest logo," Wittock said. "This is a nice souvenir that people will be able to purchase."

Six wine-tasting sessions led by wine expert Mike Lo Duca are scheduled. It will take place every hour starting at 1 p.m. through the final tasting at 7 p.m., with the exception of no session at 3 p.m.

"He will guide everyone through each wine, explaining things like tasting of notes," Wittock said.

Tickets are $15 and includes a commemorative Italian Fest wine glass and four samples of wine, with six options available.

The Italian Dinner Toss, sponsored by Tadych's Family Market, begins at 3 p.m. A two-person team will use cooking tins, with the thrower hefting ingredients such as pasta and sauce to a catcher. The team to get the most ingredients in a pail within a set time gets the victory.

A crowd favorite is the grape stomping, sponsored by Super One Foods, which begins at 4 p.m. Teams of two use their feet to smush, squish and stomp a bin full of grapes. When time is up, the team with the most juice is declared the winner.

U.P. Dance Academy will entertain the crowd at 5:30 p.m.

New to the festival is the Leaning Tower of Noodles, which will take place at 6:45 p.m. Participants will use noodles, provided by Tadych's, and marshmallows to recreate the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

"This is open to all ages," said Wittock. "I think this will be fun addition."

Not able to be part of Italian Fest this year due to safety concerns is the "noodle kiss," a recreation of the famous dining scene from the Disney animated film "Lady and the Tramp."

But otherwise, "we are excited we are able to do the games again," Wittock said.

Of course, it wouldn't be an Italian festival without the Italian food and beverages. Vendors taking part include Crispigna's, Northside Noodle, Dulce Nulla Gourmet Dessert and Uncle Bob's Pigs are Us.

In addition to the popular brews and wines, a variety of craft beers will be on tap as well.

The DDA also encourages fest-goers to take photos and post them at #ItalianFest21, so they can share on their social media.

"Mountain Media will also be present taking photos and videos -- and hopefully getting people excited to participate with that hashtag," Wittock said.

Tickets can be purchased online for $8 up until the time of the festival or $10 at the gate. Children 12 and younger are free.

The festival still needs third-shift volunteers from 7:15 to 11:30 p.m., especially those who are 21 and older to serve alcohol. Sign-up can be done online at the Italian Fest web site at https://www.downtownironmountain.com/italian-fest.

They ask that everyone practice COVID-19 safety measures. The DDA will have hand sanitizers throughout the festival area, as well as volunteers cleaning every 30 minutes.

The event is a fundraiser for DDA grant programs and toward the continued revitalization of Iron Mountain's downtown.