The sun was shining on Saturday as the Caruso Club let Sudburians have a taste of being Italian this weekend.
"The weather's holding out, it's a perfect weekend," Festival Chair John Santagapita, said.
There were painted faces, Azzurri soccer jerseys and a large line-up for barbequed food.
The thirty-seventh annual Italian Festival brought in crowds of people, as it featured everything from a car show to a pasta dinner. The upper hall was set up to hold hundreds for the pasta dinner and
variety show, with tables set up almost as far as the doors.
The festival "promotes Italian culture and heritage," said Santagapita. "We don't discriminate who comes and who doesn't come. It's open to the public. Our biggest thing is, 'be Italian for a weekend.'(People) come out and see what it's like to be Italian for a weekend."
Italian heritage stresses the importance of family, Santagapita said.
"Our heritage is all about family. All the Italian kids, growing up, all they would do is go to their grandparent's place to eat supper and be with family, that's how they were brought up. Sit at the table, talk and enjoy each other's company."
This year, some were concerned there would be competition with the Northern Lights Festival, which was happening at Bell Park this weekend.
"We draw a different crowd, I think. We do have some people that come here then go there, some people were here for the pageant then left to go to the Northern Lights Festival."
