Winemaking

The Southington Italian American Festival committee and the Northeast Produce Co. will sponsor the annual homemade wine making contest beginning at noon July 24 on the festival grounds on lower Center Street.

The entry fee is $10 per bottle with no limit on the number of entries per contestant as long as it is a different wine or year. Contestants will be limited to grape wines only and may include red or white wine.

Red and white wines will be judged separately and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places. All entries are required to be in by July 21 and may be dropped off during weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Northeast Produce Regional Market, 101 Reserve Road, Hartford, or 10 Robert Jackson Way, Plainville, or from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Verizon Wireless, 1049 Queen St.

For information, call Luigi Barbato at (860) 628-2241, Matthew Lopreata at (860) 629-1919 or Carmine Mennone at (860) 628-8964.

The festival will begin on July 23 through July 25 at the lower Center Street location. Opening ceremonies will begin at 5:30 p.m. with local and state dignitaries and will close at 11 p.m. For information, call the Southington Chamber of Commerce at (860) 628-8036.

Singers
wanted

The Southington Italian Festival organizers are seeking young singers up to high school age to perform at the 6th annual festival Saturday, July 24. It is not necessary to sing in Italian. Performers should bring their own pre-recorded music. No auditions are necessary for this event which will begin at 4 p.m., after The Great Leone performs his magic show beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Anyone interested should call Joe LaPorte, (860) 628-2227.

Events

The Southington Italian Festival is held primarily Friday, July 23 to Sunday, July 25. However, the Sons of Italy Club, 139 Center St., has numerous programs leading up to the Italian Festival weekend. Other events will be held at the main stage on lower Center Street. The schedule of events includes:

Monday, July 19, 7 p.m., Sons of Italy: The Southington High School Italian Club, under the direction of Tina Riccio, Spanish teacher, will present a Taste of Italy. Each student has been assigned one of the20 regions of Italy and will make a presentation of their region including population, traditions, celebrations and food. The students will prepare food from the region for attendees to sample. This program is free.

Tuesday, July 20, 7 p.m., Sons of Italy: Laura Papallo will present a program of traditional Italian songs with its origins and interpretations so that people not familiar with the Italian language will better understand them and appreciate their meaning. Italian-American songs will also be featured with some audience participation. This program is free.

Wednesday, July 21, 7 p.m., Sons of Italy: Alfonso D’Angelo will give a lecture on Italian culture. D’Angelo has traveled to Italy many times and is an expert on the subject. This program is free.

Wednesday, July 21, 7 p.m., town green: Music on the Green concert, sponsored by UNICO of Southington, will feature Sam Vinci and his Orchestra. Rain date is Thursday, June 22.

Friday, July 23, 5:30 p.m., stage: Opening ceremonies will be held with local and state dignitaries including Miss Connecticut Sharalynn Kuziak. Entertainment will begin immediately with the Tony Riccio Band featuring guest singers Marcello Sparagna and Olivia Tedesco. Singer Anthony Urulli will follow and then the special guest performer will take the stage, impressionist comedian Mark Verselli. The festival closes Friday at 11 p.m.

Ongoing: more than 20 vendors featuring a variety of Italian and American food, novelties and jewelry; children’s carnival, sponsored by the V. Nanfito Roofing Company.

Saturday, July 24: noon, carnival offers discounted children’s rides; noon, winemaking contest; 2:30 p.m., The Great Leone magic act for children, followed by performances by young singers and the Southington All-Stars; 8:30 p.m., Aaron Caruso and Christina Luna, featured act, followed by other entertainers. Festival will close 11 p.m.

Sunday, July 25, 10 a.m., stage: Italian Mass sponsored by DellaVecchia Funeral Home. The Mass will include song by the Ladies Rosary Society, and a two-block procession, led by the Italian Men’s Group, festival patrons and Middletown Italian Marching Band, sponsored by Serafino Pharmacy; 11:30 a.m., booths open; 1 p.m., entertainment; 2 p.m., New Scorpio Band, followed by other entertainers until the 6 p.m. closing.

Special tents will be available for seating and admission is free.

Lower Center Street will be closed for the festival from High Street to North Liberty. Dogs, skateboards and bicycles are not permitted.

For more information, call the Greater Southington Chamber of Commerce, at (860) 628-8036.