From the main stage under the Reno Arch, to the row of buckets in the Sierra Gold Buyers parking lot, every corner of downtown Reno turns Italian this time of year.
For many, the food defines the festival.
“I've tried the the raviolis, the bread, and the pasta,” says Wesley, who says the raviolis are the best of that group.
If one thing defines the Italian Festival across the board, it’s tradition, and perhaps no tradition is as iconic as the grape stomping contest.
“It’s a little more difficult than I anticipated,” says Troy Price.
Troy and Chrstine Price originally came all the way from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for BBQ, Blues and Brews back in June. They enjoyed the Biggest Little City so much, they returned this weekend.
They say the hospitality is unmatched.
“Everybody's been really nice and accommodating. so that's what makes you feel really at home,” Troy says, with Christine adding, “we feel very welcome to here, so it’s great. Never feels like we’re outsiders.”
Joseph moved to Reno four years ago from Little Italy on the north end of Boston.
“It's been interesting because it's bringing me back to my roots,” says Joseph.
His friends brought him out to the Italian Fest this year, and he's grateful for the chance to connect with his culture.
“I didn't know where the Italian communities were out here when I first got out here,” Joseph says. “This is really good to kind of connect and then remind me where I’m from.”
Joseph says he even met someone from Sicily. And he's not the only one basking in his culture: Wesley's family is enjoying it as well.
“It feels pretty good for everyone in our family,” he says, “because it celebrates our culture and everything like that."
Whether it's the food, the fruit smashing, the music, or the people, there's something for everyone at the great Italian festival.
It continues on Sunday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
