Italian Street Festival October 3, 2010

On October 2 and 3, the Horticultural Gardens at the Richmond Raceway Complex will be magically transformed into an authentic Italian village for this year’s 6th Annual Italian Street Festival. Get ready for the sights, sounds and aromas of the Italian countryside – and a chance to experience what Italians call “la dolce vita”, the sweet life.

The festival’s move last year from Church Hill to the more expansive Gardens venue underscores the growing popularity of the annual event, which drew more than 25,000 over the years. Expect more of everything you enjoyed last year. You’ll be treated to an expanded selection of Italian food, including pastas, pizza, gelato, Italian ice and espresso as well as Italian wines, beer and Limoncello. Festival planners are also putting together a lineup of live entertainment along with historical and cultural displays. In addition, the village market will offer for sale authentic Italian artwork, hand-stitched linens and table cloths, and music and sports memorabilia. You can even try your hand at Italian bingo.

The biggest lure are the raffle tickets, which give you a shot at winning a seven-day, six-night stay at Franco’s Friendly Villa, a bed and breakfast in Tuscany, Italy, a 40” HD TV, or $300 cash.

Donations for admission are $2 at the gate. The Original Richmond Italian Street Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our charity of choice this year is The Fisher House of Richmond; a home for the families of veterans receiving care at the Richmond Veterans Administration Medical Center (RVAMC)

Official Website: http://www.richmonditalianfestival.com/