KETTERING, Ohio (WKEF) — People from across the Miami Valley spent the weekend celebrating Italian culture, with plenty of traditional food, family history and community connection at Italian Fest.
From calzones to cannolis and fried peppers served with fresh bread, festival goers said the food was one of the biggest draws.
“Calzones, in my opinion, are the best. They are so good,” one attendee said.
“I like the cannolis. I’m a sweets eater, but all the food is delicious,” another attendee said.
For many families, though, Italian food represents more than what is served on a plate. Organizers and attendees said sharing a meal is a way to bring people together and keep traditions alive.
“You’ll never see an Italian sitting by himself and not wanting to have other people sitting around,” Shaun Power, one of the organizer of the Italian Fest said. “It’s about the food that brings people together, as well as that sense of belonging.”
The dishes and recipes also reflect Italy’s diverse regions, from northern Italy to Sicily. Each area has its own flavors, cooking styles and ways of making classic meals.
“Each region has its own style of cooking, their own recipes, and it turns out there’s a thousand different ways to make sauce,” One of the workers said.
The festival also gave visitors a chance to learn more about their family roots. Darren Kall said he has helped families trace their ancestry and reconnect with relatives and generations they may not have known about.
“Yesterday, I had a woman in here say, ‘Oh, I know my grandmother’s name,’” Kall said. “I was able, in like 15 minutes, to connect her to like five generations. She was in tears.”
Whether visitors came to enjoy a favorite Italian dish, spend time with family or learn more about their heritage, organizers said Italian Fest offered something for everyone.
