UPPER PROVIDENCE — Italian foods, pastries, personalities, cars and musical entertainment will fill the grounds at Delaware County’s Rose Tree Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, when the 15th Annual Italian American Heritage Festival welcomes guests from far and wide to a celebration of Italian heritage and culture.
The Coalition of Italian American Organizations of Delaware County (CIAO Delco), including L’Associazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco and its sister organizations of the Philadelphia area, will, once again, host the annual festival, which is always a special day for family and friends, either of Italian origin or just having an interest in the “Italian way,” to get together for the celebration of all-things Italian.
The event will feature free admission and plenty of on-site free parking.
The welcoming committee at last year’s Italian American Heritage Festival’s information table included, from left, Marguerite Miller, MaryEllen Durning, Adriana Patton, Rose Patton, Lauren Abercrombie, Marie DiMattia, Dr. Jack Colombo, and Charles Miller. Festival attendees can expect another warm welcome to the festival on Sunday, June 1 at Rose Tree Park. (PEG DEGRASSA/ DAILY TIMES)
As she holds up her Italian roll, Joanne Zuppo, of Glenolden, owner of Salon 625 in Ridley Park, talks with members of The St. Anthony DiPadova Society, Frank Dattilo, center, of East Norriton, and Ted Dezzi of Mullica Hill, N.J., during last year’s Italian American Heritage Festival at Rose Tree Park. The St. Anthony DiPadova Society of Southwest Philadelphia has been at the festival in Delaware County since its inception 15 years ago and will be back again this year. (PEG DEGRASSA/ DAILY TIMES)
This year’s festival will feature entertainers Tiziana Rivale and Gabryella Suriani, direct from Italy, as well as local Italian performer Moreno Fruzzetti.
Among the performers at this year’s Delco Italian American Heritage Festival at Rose Tree Park will be Italian American entertainer Moreno Fruzzetti, who will wow the crowd with his beautiful singing. (COURTESY PHOTO)
The festival will also present a Field of Fun for children and bocce courts for the grown-ups.
Over the years, the family-friendly festival has consistently brought over 10,000 people, and a few furry friends, to the park for the day’s festivities. This year’s program will begin at the main staging area, with Italian music selections and an introduction of local VIPs and dignitaries.
The event will be emceed by Mary Lou Koch and Melissa Cannavo-Marino. The welcome table will offer resources to navigate the festival, as well as information on the variety of Italian clubs and organizations that host the festival.
Sbandieratori Fiorentini, a group of Italian flag throwers from Florence, Italy, performed at last year’s festival. They are the keepers of a centuries-old tradition meant to show the pride of Tuscan free municipalities. The special guests entertained the audience, performing athletic talent and skills in flag throwing. Many more entertainers will wow attendees at this year’s festival on Sunday, June 1. (PEG DEGRASSA/ DAILY TIMES)
The 2025 Italian American Heritage Festival is made possible by the generosity of sponsors, including Cento, Neumann University, Carman Fiat, Wilmington University, Widener University, Cirilli Associates Inc., DeLallo Italian Foods, WWDB AM, Talk 860, WVLT Cruisin’ 92.1, Newsradio 1450 WILM and Piazza Premium Automobiles.
“This year will be bigger and better than ever,” remarked Nick Rapagnani, president of Asociazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco and one of the key organizers of the event each year. “We have two internationally acclaimed Italian singers, Tiziana Rivale and Gabryella Suriani, in addition to our Italian American entertainer, Moreno Fruzzeti, as well as a wide variety of vendors, delicious Italian foods, and activities for every age. Our festival is a hit, year after year, because there’s nothing quite like it!”
The Italian American Heritage Festival is dedicated to promoting and preserving the unique and rich Italian and Italian American heritage in the Delaware Valley. In addition to the many thousands who enjoy this day of local culture every year, proceeds of the event benefit the following local charities: The Communities of Don Guanella and Divine Providence, Italian Studies and Nursing programs at local universities, Cooley’s Anemia, HEADstrong Foundation, the Delaware County Law Enforcement Memorial, and the Delaware County Fallen Firefighter and EMS Memorial, both at Rose Tree Park.
CIAO Delco is made up of the following organizations: Asociazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco and Delaware Valley; Filitalia Delaware County, The St. Anthony Society of Southwest Philadelphia, Christopher Columbus Memorial Association, Sons and Daughters of Italy-District 5, and Societa DaVinci.
Rose Tree Park is at 1671 N. Providence Road, Upper Providence Township, with a Media ZIP code.
The rain date will be Sunday, June 8. For more information: www.ciaodelco.org.
Originally Published: May 24, 2025 at 11:58 AM EDT