ISHPEMING, Mich. (WZMQ) – This Saturday is the 126th annual Italian Fest at the Al Quall recreation area in Ishpeming.
The Saint Rocco and Saint Anthony Society sponsors the picnic.
“It does cost quite a bit to put on, but we’re proud to be able to do it, and we’re happy that people can come out and enjoy the day, and basically, you only pay for your food when you’re here, and everything else is free. And you know, free entry, so come and enjoy,” said organizer Jim Bertucci.
The festival will feature live music, the infamous greased pole, and games for kids of all ages. And, of course, Italian food.
“We’ll have about 1500 meatballs again. And when that goes, it goes, and we tell people, get it early, because it runs out about four o’clock, maybe sometimes 4:30, but if you want an Italian dinner, come early,” said Bertucci.
Due to bad weather on the Fourth of July, the Ishpeming Fireworks will be part of this year’s Italian festival. Another addition is the debut of the new bandshell.
“We’re very proud of our new band shell that we built back there. It took a few hours to get it done, but we got it in time just for the festival, and we’re really excited about it. We were even able to do some landscaping. The city helped us a lot with some of that work,” said Bertucci.
Of historical note, the Saint Anthony and Saint Rocco Society actually started out as a type of insurance for Italian miners in the area.
Gates opened this Saturday at 2pm and admission is always free.
