IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – This past weekend, downtown Iron Mountain came alive with the sights, sounds, and tastes of Italy as the annual Italian Fest returned, drawing crowds eager to celebrate their heritage and enjoy a variety of activities. The event, coordinated by Kenzie Williamsen of the Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority, featured performances by local artists and a wide range of Italian culinary delights.
Wine enthusiasts had the opportunity to indulge in tastings with Michael Lo Duca, owner of Lo Duca Bros Wines. “We have a lot of choices this year for Italian Fest,” Lo Duca said, offering a selection of six reds, six whites, and a rosé sparkling wine. A highlight of the tasting was the introduction of their Italian Sangrias with fruit puree. “Our specialty is our blends like our Mamertino,” Lo Duca added, noting that their Lambrusco, a popular seller, is made using traditional methods fermented in clay pots, with no sulfites or nitrates, offering a naturally effervescent experience. Locally, Lo Duca wines are sold at Crispigna’s Italian Market on the north side of the city.
The festival also paid tribute to local veterans, thanks to the generosity of Multi-State Realty and First National Bank and Trust, which provided free admission tickets to honor their service. Williamsen noted that the support from sponsors like LIUNA Local 1329, Iron Mountain Area Tourism, The John Fornetti Dental Center, and many other volunteers made the event possible.
Albert Santino, owner of Dickinson Homes and a key partner in the event, contributed to the cultural experience with a display celebrating Iron Mountain’s sister city relationship with Sassoferrato, Italy. “My family is from Sassoferrato,” Santino shared, explaining how the connection between the two cities began. “The whole idea behind sister cities is to create a better understanding of people throughout the world,” he said, referencing the origins of the Sister Cities program in 1956 under President Eisenhower.
Santino’s booth featured a place where festival-goers could pin their Italian origins on a map, as well as a book documenting the history of local families with ties to Italy. “We’ve been doing this for five years,” he said, expressing hopes to revive student exchanges between Iron Mountain and Sassoferrato, which were paused due to the pandemic.
As the day progressed, the festival’s energy picked up, with more attendees arriving to enjoy the music, food, and cultural displays. “We have bigger bands coming this year, so we’re expecting another big pick-up around 8 PM,” Williamsen observed.
Looking ahead, Williamsen announced that the next major event in downtown Iron Mountain will be Oktoberfest on September 28, followed by the Pumpkin Walk in October, Girls’ Night Out in November, and the Christmas Walk in December. “So we have something every single month,” she said, ensuring that the community can continue to gather and celebrate throughout the year.
For more details about upcoming Oktoberfest in downtown Iron Mountain, visit:
To find out more information on the 3rd generation winemaker that participates annually in the city’s Italian Fest celebration, visit:
