The 31st annual Italianfest is returning to Newport this weekend with more than a dozen Italian food vendors, performances and activities. Newport has been a hub for Italian families for generations. In 1991, the former mayor, Thomas Guidulgi Sr., and the former commissioner, Jerry Peluso created the very first Italianfest to celebrate the city’s heritage. Since then, the festival has grown even more with the expectation of more than 120,000 visitors this year.

“Experience a slice of Italy in the heart of Newport,” Mayor Thomas Guidulgi Sr. said. “Where the aroma of authentic cuisine wafts through the air, the sounds of traditional music echoes by the river, and the spirit of community and heritage warms the hearts of all who visit. This isn’t just a festival, it’s a passport to a vibrant cultural journey right in our backyard!”