BR A N D AV E. ST U DIOS CON T EN T
The 2019 Collinsville, Illinois Italian Fest
challenges you to channel your inner
Italian
By Sarah Gerrein, Brand Ave. Studios Contributing Writer
or 36 years, Italian Fest has brought F thousands to Main Street in Collinsville, Illinois to celebrate the city’s Italian culture and heritage. The twoday festival features Italian food from over 30 vendors, a children’s area and fun activities for the whole family. Live music plays on two stages, while the local community puts on a showcase of fun and food. Enjoy Italian fare, including favorites such as toasted ravioli, spedini, Italian beef, bagna cauda, spumoni and cannoli. Wash it down with a nice glass of wine from the wine garden. Activities for the weekend include the popular grape stomp. For centuries, grapes were picked by hand and grape stomping was the method used to extract the juice to make wine. Today, most countries have replaced grape stomping with mechanical processing. Come ready to cheer on teams of novice stompers. Fairgoers can feel good about all of the Italian food and drink they are
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consuming by participating in the 5K run/walk on Saturday morning. The course is flat and stretches through the quaint, residential areas of uptown Collinsville. This year’s run/walk theme is “Channel your Inner Italian.” If running or walking isn’t your style, take part in the annual Bocce Ball tournament on Saturday morning. Also known as Italian lawn bowling, it’s one of the oldest backyard games around. The game is simple and can be played by all ages and skill levels. Later in the day on Saturday is the always-popular Italian Fest parade. This year’s theme is “All Things Italian.” ITALIAN FILM EXHIBIT This year’s Italian exhibition reaches far across the ocean to shine a spotlight on Pellegrino Artusi, Italy’s famed “Father of Italian Cuisine.” Still popular in Italy and kitchens around the world, Artusi’s cookbook was a gift to the people,
reflecting their traditions and culture. The exhibit is open September 1 through October 15 at the Collinsville Memorial Public Library. STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY The Italian Fest is sponsored by the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce. The proceeds from the festival help bolster the local community, as well as several projects for local organizations. Volunteers work the booths on behalf of local civic organizations and charities. Italian Fest is a place where friends reconnect, a community is strengthened, civic groups raise funds and memories are made. Celebrate Italian Fest and follow the smell of authentic Italian food to Collinsville on September 20-21, 2019 on Main Street. *** This content was produced by Brand Ave. Studios in collaboration with the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce. The news and editorial departments of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had no role in its creation or display. For more information about Brand Ave. Studios, contact tgriffin@stltoday.com.
09.13.19-09.19.19 • ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH • GO! MAGAZINE
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