The taste, music and culture of old-world Italy will again be celebrated this weekend at Festa Italiana, which brings together the Italian community of Macomb County — grocers, restaurant operators, musicians and others in Sterling Heights.
Presented by the Italian American Chamber of Commerce, the festival at Freedom Hill County Park, which runs Friday through Sunday, offers entertainment by national and local performers, Italian food, wines and beer, family-friendly contests, a Family Fun Zone, and Friday night fireworks.
Organizers say the event now in its 60th year and has had visitors from as far away as Indiana and Chicago in recent years. That means the festival continues to gain attention from outside of southeast Michigan.
“That shows us it’s become one of the top events in the country, and we’re proud of that,” said Joe Ventimiglia, who has served as festival chairman for the past 19 years. “We have more young people coming out, along with our seasoned residents, to be part of the party.
New this year is a tequila tent from Livonia-based Benchmark Beverage Company as well as Aruba Freeze, which uses liquid nitrogen to flash-freeze their ice cream, creating a creamy texture with minimal ice crystals.
On the entertainment stage, some old favorites are back, such as Louis Prima Jr. & The Witnesses, Aaron Caruso & Friends, Mark Randisi & the Sounds of Sinatra, The Bronx Wanderers, and Ray Massa’s EuroRhythms.
The music of Frank Sinatra will be celebrated by Mark Randisi & the Sounds of Sinatra, along with a separate tribute show starring Mike Vicari (cousin of Andiamo’s Joe Vicari), and Francesco Cavallini.
Festival-goers take to the dance floor at a previous Festa Italiana at Macomb County Park at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights. (PHOTO COURTESY OF FESTA ITALIANA )
Also, Michael Sugg will present a Toby Keith tribute titled “The American Ride” on Friday before the fireworks.
Some of the best tasting spaghetti, pizza, and other Italian dishes you’ll ever have will be available.
Food booths from Vince & Joe’s Gourmet Market in Clinton and Shelby townships, Bommarito Bakery in St. Clair Shores, Ventimiglia Italian Foods in Sterling Heights, and Andiamo restaurants will be available. Everything from Italian street corn to Italian grinder sandwiches to watermelon slices will be on sale.
A colorful, 22-minutes fireworks display sponsored by Genesis Alfa Romeo will excite the crowd Friday night.
Kids will want to visit the the Family Fun Zone, featuring bounce houses, a zip line, rock-climbing wall, bocce courts and more.
The festival again has all of the unique contests that have made it such a fun family-friendly event, including the meatball eating, beautiful baby, cannoli eating competitions, along with selection of a Columbus Day Queen.
Festa Italiana typically draws about 30,000 people over the three-day festival, but Freedom Hill has plenty of space to relax in to enjoy the festivities.
There’s plenty of food cooking this weekend at Festa Italiana. (MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO)
Admission is free but there is a $10 parking charge per vehicle. Hours are 6-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday.
Sponsors include the Italian American Chamber of Commerce, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Andiamo Restaurant Group, Don Christo’s Cigar Room, Make Macomb Your Home, Bloom Development Co., Carmela Specialty Foods, Shelving.com, Fifth Third Bank, The Tamer Foundation, Lipari Foods, Henry Ford Health, DTE, and Peroni.
“They are very important to us,” Ventimiglia said of the sponsors. “They make everything work.”
This dad-daughter combination pose during a break in a cutest baby contest at a previous Festa Italiana at Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights. (MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO)
The festival is a non-profit event that also provides support for the community.
In 2024, organizers raised over $85,000 for charity. The funds benefited Conductive Education, Friends of Foster Kids, Italian American Chamber of Commerce, Capuchin Soup Kitchen, St. Louis Center, and a variety of others.
Admission to the festival is free.
However, parking is $10 daily per vehicle.
Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. Friday. Festival hours are Friday-11 p.m., Saturday noon-11 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Festa Italiana sponsors include the Italian American Chamber of Commerce, Andiamo Italian Restaurant Group, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Genesis Alfa Romeo, Don Christo’s Cigar Room, Make Macomb Your Home, Carmela Specialty Foods, Shelving.com, DAOU, Fifth Third Bank, The Tamer Foundation, Henry Ford Health, DTE, Black Stallion Estate Winery, St. Supery, Dad Water, Spritz Del Conte, Benchmark Beverage Company, Peroni Nastro Azzurro.
Freedom Hill County Park is at 14900 Metro Parkway (east of Schoenherr Road), Sterling Heights. For more information and a full list of entertainers, visit the IACCM (Italian American Chamber of Commerce Michigan’s) website at iaccm.net/events/festa-italiana or call the Italian American Chamber of Commerce at 586-925-2020.
Originally Published: July 16, 2025 at 8:57 AM EDT