The DeCecco Little Italy Italian Festival, one of Upstate NY’s biggest and most popular Italian festivals, returns to Rochester this summer, after a nearly three year hiatus. This year’s theme is: “Party at the Beach – Paisano Style!”

The event will be held at Ontario Beach Park on Saturday, August 30th, from Noon to 9pm, featuring delicious Italian food from local restaurants and vendors, a fun spaghetti eating contest, and headline music all day, including a live performance by “America’s Got Talent” Golden Buzzer finalist and Grammy Nominee, SAL “THE VOICE” VALENTINETTI, at 8:00pm and NY City’s Jazzy Italian, VANESSA RACCI. 

The shores of scenic Lake Ontario and the lovely nearby Port of Rochester Marina will provide the majestic back-drop for this year’s event. Ontario Beach Park offers plenty of free parking, family-oriented activities and children’s amenities, such as a historic Merry-go-Round, a newly installed kids Spray Park and playground area, with nearby Charlotte Pier and refreshing ice-cream shops.

The event will honor Roman Catholic Saint Anthony of Padua and shall feature a special prayer ceremony at 2:00pm, in remembrance of the life and legacy of Pope Francis, including a short prayer for peace in the City of Rochester.

For more info please visit the festival website: www.LittleItalyRoc.com/festival.

Silvano Orsi, (festival president): “I am thrilled by the opportunity to bring the festival back to the city of Rochester, and for the first time ever, to Ontario Beach Park. As always, it’s going to be a very safe and family-oriented event, and a spectacular day celebrating our wonderful Italian culture at the Beach, and most importantly, commemorating Rochester’s Historic Little Italy Neighborhood, and over 150 years of Italian American history, culture and contributions in the city of Rochester, NY.”