An annual festival celebrating Italian heritage is returning to Sterling Heights. Festa Italiana will return to Freedom Hill County Park, bringing three days of music, food and family fun to help celebrate the Italian community July 18-20. “It’s a celebration of Italian heritage, of our food and drink and entertainment,” said Joe Ventimiglia, the organizer of the festival.

This year’s festival will feature national and local entertainment including musical performances, a Sunday morning Mass and a family fun zone with bounce houses, zip lines, bocce courts and more. The festival will also have four contests, including meatball- and cannoli-eating contests, an Italian Queen contest and Italian Idol.