August 2017

A Little More Italy in Rochester

Want to see more celebration of the Italian community in Rochester? Come out to show your support during our city’s first downtown Italian festival in 30 years! Make your way to the Riverside Festival Site on Exchange Boulevard the weekend of August 12th & 13th for a showcase of Italian Pride and culture highlighting Rochester’s historic Little Italy district. There will be a plethora of live entertainment, including performances by Rome native Marco Amadio, Sicily native Franco Ciffa, the Rochester Rat Pack, New York City’s Tre Bella, and Sal Valentinetti, a 2016 finalist on “America’s Got Talent.” In addition to the music, activities will include cooking demonstrations with local and celebrity chefs, a spaghetti-eating contest, and salsa dancing lessons. No one will go hungry at festival of Italian flavor! Tickets are available online in advance or at the gate. All performances are general admission and lawn chairs are welcome, so come early!

Special Events on Sunday

Witness the talent of Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti at his much-anticipated performance at 8:30 on Sunday, August 13th, and stick around for the festival’s grand-finale fireworks show at 10 pm.

Sunday, August 13, at 10 am, there will be a special Catholic Mass celebrated in both Italian and English at Immaculate Conception/St. Bridget’s Church in Corn Hill. Attendees are invited to welcome the grand entrance of the Relic of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother to the City of Rochester. Mass will be followed by a grand procession from Corn Hill to the Festival Site, complete with accompaniment by the Pittsford Fire Department Marching Band.