North Wildwood Italian-American Festival ~ June 22-24

PRESS RELEASE

The North Wildwood Italian-American Festival celebrates its 24th anniversary in the Wildwoods this year with a weekend celebration of great Italian food, family fun, and Italian-American heritage, Friday June 22 through Sunday, June 24.

This year’s Grand Marshall is legendary singer and Wildwoods’ favorite son Bobby Rydell kicking off the Opening Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 22.

Festivities for the three-day event take place along Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood including FREE live Italian music, street vendors displaying Italian merchandise, food vendors offering a variety of Italian and non-Italian treats, meatball relay races, the ever-growing signing of the olive tree, grape stomping, Little Miss Italy Pageant, and more.

Activities take place from 4-10 p.m. on Friday, June 22; 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 23; and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 24. This year’s Opening Ceremony Grand Marshal is the legendary Bobby Rydell.

Below is a detailed list of all activities taking place throughout the weekend:


Friday, June 22

4 p.m. – Merchandise and food vendors open
5 p.m. – Philly Cuzz Welcome Party
6 p.m. – Grand Procession in honor or Saint Anthony followed immediately by Official Opening Ceremonies with Grand Marshal Bobby Rydell
6:30 p.m. – Bitter Sweet Duo
7:45 p.m. – Lou Dottoli and Trio
9:30 p.m. – Corner Boys Band performs


Saturday, June 23

10 a.m. – Merchandise and food vendors open; children’s games and prizes all day long
11 a.m. – Live Broadcast with 98.7 The Coast Radio
1 p.m. – Johnny Tocco Grape stomping and dancing
2:15 p.m. – Block Party
3:30 p.m. – Aquanets
4:30 p.m. – Just In Time
5:30 p.m. – “Our Own” Philly Cuzz
7:00 p.m. – 99 Reasons performs
8:15 p.m. – Alicia Punzo
9:30 p.m. – Goody Blue Shoes performs


Sunday, June 24

11 a.m. – Merchandise and food vendors open
Noon – Keith Hickman
2 p.m. – Meatball relay race
3 p.m. – Pete Cannella
4:30 p.m. – Raffle Drawing and Closing

The North Wildwood Italian-American Festival is FREE to attend and is sponsored by Knights of Columbus #2572. The Knights of Columbus is a non-profit organization, and proceeds from the festival will benefit Catholic education and various other local charities.

For additional information, please call 609-408-5793 or visit www.northwildwood.com.

For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.