MD Italian Festival Features Food, Fireworks, Bocce, Carnival In Aberdeen

ABERDEEN, MD — Italian food, live music, fireworks, carnival rides, bocce and a new Heritage Village are filling the grounds outside Ripken Stadium this weekend as the Maryland Italian Festival returns to Aberdeen.

The fourth annual Avena Maryland Italian Festival, presented by Jarrettsville Furniture and produced by the Society of Italian American Businessmen, runs Friday through Sunday in the Ripken Stadium parking lot located at 873 Long Drive, Aberdeen. Organizers bill it as the largest Italian festival in Maryland.

The three-day celebration combines Italian food and culture with concerts, carnival rides and games, cooking and wine demonstrations, a bocce tournament, street chalk art, glassblowing demonstrations, vendors, Italian-themed attractions and activities for children. Fireworks are planned Friday and Saturday nights.

Net proceeds from the festival benefit regional charities supported by the Society of Italian American Businessmen.

A centerpiece of this year's festival is Heritage Village, an area designed to immerse visitors in Italian and Italian-American culture. Guests enter beneath a recreation of a Roman triumphal arch and can explore Italian-inspired fountains and replications of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Colosseum. The village also features an Italian market, cultural programs, music, demonstrations and other activities.

The Piccolo Teatro offers smaller performances centered on Italian music, storytelling and theater, while strolling musicians will perform throughout Heritage Village. Visitors also can watch Pulcinella puppet shows, hear talks about Italian history and culture and see artists create large-scale chalk artwork.

Glassblowing demonstrations highlight techniques associated with Italy's centuries-old glassmaking tradition, while bocce courts give visitors a chance to try the Italian game even if they aren't competing in Saturday's tournament.

The festival's Italian Food Court will feature handcrafted pasta, sandwiches, brick-oven pizza, gelato, cannoli and other traditional Italian dishes and desserts.

Chefs will demonstrate Italian recipes and cooking techniques on the Liberatore Cooking Stage, located near the Roman triumphal arch. Adults also can attend wine presentations and tastings focused on Italian wine culture.

Music and other live entertainment are scheduled throughout the weekend. The festival's main stage will feature concerts, tribute acts, Italian music and contemporary performers, while smaller performances will be held elsewhere around the grounds.