Celebrate Italian Culture with Two Festivals in the Capital Region on September 7
The Capital Region is gearing up for a festive fall season, with two exciting Italian festivals taking place on the same day. On Saturday, September 7, Schenectady and Amsterdam will host vibrant celebrations of Italian culture, food, and music.
First up is the 19th annual Little Italy StreetFest in Schenectady. This popular event will be held along North Jay Street at Union Street, running from noon to 9 p.m. Visitors can expect a lively atmosphere filled with live music, delicious food from local Italian restaurants, and an array of vendors offering unique items.
A special highlight of this year’s festival is the new kids’ activity space, Bambini Boulevard, designed to entertain younger attendees with various fun activities.
Each year, the Little Italy StreetFest crowns a king and queen, chosen for their contributions and impact within the local community. This year’s honorees are Neil and Mona Golub, who will take center stage as the festival’s royalty.
For those with a competitive spirit, the festival also features a Tomato Pie Eating Contest. The winner of this tasty challenge will receive a $200 gift card to MORE Perreca’s, adding a delicious incentive to join in the fun.
Bambini Boulevard will be located on Warren Street and extend to North Center Street. It will offer a variety of activities for kids, including a sidewalk chalk contest, a kids’ DJ and dance party, balloon sculpting, crafts, face painting, and a bounce house.
If you’re planning to drive, there’s plenty of free parking available in the area, including at the Liberty & Franklin Lot, 601 Union Street Lot, Broadway North Lot, Center City Lot, Clinton North Lot, and City Hall Lot. Since parking is free on the weekends, you can enjoy the festival without worrying about additional costs.
Restaurants
- MORE Perreca’s
- Perreca’s
- Cornells in Little Italy
- Civitello’s
- Hunter’s on Jay
Live Music
- North Stage:
- TS Ensemble from noon to 3 p.m.
- The Rogues from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- The Refrigerators from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- South Stage from noon to 6 p.m.:
- Edward T Clifford, The Human Jukebox
- Joe Sinatra
- Demantra Constantine
- Carla Paige
- Joe Severino
- Other guest vocalists
On the same day, Amsterdam’s ItaliaFest will take place along Bridge Street, starting at 11 a.m. and running until 9 p.m. Sponsored by River Ridge Living Center, this festival promises a day full of entertainment and Italian delights. Attendees can enjoy a wide variety of food, browse through vendors’ offerings, and listen to live music throughout the day.
ItaliaFest also features a spaghetti eating contest and a homemade wine contest, allowing festival-goers to showcase their culinary skills and love for Italian cuisine. Additionally, there will be games, Art in the Park, and even a fireworks display to cap off the day.
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Both festivals are perfect opportunities to celebrate Italian culture and community in the Capital Region. They offer something for everyone, from delicious food and live music to fun activities for kids and exciting contests. Whether you’re in Schenectady or Amsterdam, September 7 is set to be a day filled with Italian flair and family-friendly fun.