Food vendors will feature Italian favorites, including pasta, pizza, gelato, and cannoli. Vendors include La Rustica on Magnolia (presenting sponsor), Talucci’s Bakery (Meatball Run sponsor), Rio Bertolini’s, Amici’s Italian Bistro and Nonna’s Olde World Italian Deli. Other vendors will showcase items such as spices, olive oils and specialty canned tomato sauces.
For many Italian-Americans who have relocated to the Lowcountry from northern states, Lombardo said the festival is a taste of home.
“You miss the festivals from home,” he said. “We have people constantly asking, ‘Where’s the New York pizza?’ or ‘Where’s the Connecticut spumoni ice cream?’ And we have those vendors.”
Festival organizers are all volunteers, including the seven-member board that begins planning each year in January. Also crucial to the festival’s success are day-of volunteers comprised of teachers, PTA members, JROTC cadets and Boy Scouts.
In response to feedback received from past attendees, particularly women and parents of young children, organizers invested in a trailer-style bathroom facility with individual stalls. While happy to make these investments, Lombardo was candid about how every overhead expense is less money that can be donated.
“Every dollar that we spend is a dollar that I’m not able to give to the educational foundation,” Lombardo said.
Another expense with a hefty price tag is paying for off-duty police officers and EMS services, costing about $9,000 for one weekend. While the board believes the festival has reached its maximum capacity, Lombardo said the board is open to testing new additions, such as the meatball run and pickleball tournament. There are no plans to expand to a new location as Summerville is the festival’s home.
“This is where people know where we’re at,” Loambardo said. “We’re not looking to move it,” Lombardo shared.
Lombardo is an Air Force veteran who is passionate about community service. He said one of the more rewarding moments of the festival is after it is over, and he can present the educational foundation with large donation checks.
Dining and Cooking