Hundreds of Mayfield Heights residents turned out for the annual Taste of Italy this past weekend- the first such event under new Mayor Diane Marzano Snider.
Between homemade wine tastings and plates of chicken, pasta and meatballs in red sauce, residents were able to celebrate Italian heritage while breaking up the monotony of the winter months in the comfort of the Mayfield Heights Aquatic and Community Center on Valentine’s Day.
A singer with the Frank and Dean band serenades the audience during a taste of italy event on Feb. 14. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald)
Desserts are put out during a taste of Italy event on Feb. 14. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald)
Snider said that she was glad to see people enjoying one of the city’s most popular winter activities.
“All the ladies got a box of chocolate, and all the men got a bottle of wine for Valentine’s Day,” Snider said during the dinner on Feb. 14. “I think it was well received, and I think everybody is going to have a really great night. I’m excited that we were able to carry this through the years and continue to do it. We have a lot of hard-working people in the kitchen, and I think people are going to be very happy.”
People line up for their taste of Italian food during the Mayfield Heights taste of Italy event. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald)
Looking ahead at the year to come, Snider said, they were planning more activities for the nation’s 250th birthday.
“We’re kicking it off with our annual pancake breakfast in March, and we’re going to go back in history and talk about the city of Mayfield Heights and bring back history and have some trivia and have some fun.” Snider said.
In June there will be the annual parade but, Snider said, with some changes to reflect the national theme for this year, followed in July with two important dates in history.
“It’s going to be 76 years that the city of Mayfield Heights became a city,” Snider said. “So, we’re going to host an event here in the park with fireworks and food trucks — a big event that we’ve never had before.”
People gather around a gas fireplace outside the Mayfield Heights Aquatic and Community Center during a taste of Italy event on Feb. 14. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald)
A glass of wine left behind sits on the patio of Mayfield Heights Aquatic and Community Center. (Frank Mecham- The News-Herald)
She said the investment they made by opening the Aquatic and Community Center last year has been successful and they have been renting out the space for groups to use.
“We’re trying to find different ways to utilize this,” Snider said. “Days, nights and weekends, whatever we can do. And it’s been really well received by our residents…”
Those who missed this year’s event can look ahead to next year.
“Next year we’re going to have some Italian comedy, it’s just something different, have a dinner and a comedy show we thought it would be fun,” Snider said. “We have a lot of Italians in Mayfield Heights, and they love to make homemade wine, so we thought we would like to feature them at one of our biggest events.
“We think it’s kind of fun for everybody to be able to taste something they take such pride in making.”
Dining and Cooking