Holy Rosary Parish Cancels Italian Street Festival 2012

The Holy Rosary Italian Street Festival, held annually, will not be serving up gelato and cannoli this year. According to sources at Holy Rosary Parish, on Indianapolis' Southside, and per a press release sent out by the church, the action comes as a result of staff needs.

The 2012 Italian Street Festival is being reluctantly canceled for one year only. Its chief organizer, David Page, feels it necessary to step down from the huge undertaking. In the meantime, the church's volunteer committee is planning a smaller, Italian-themed event for this August or perhaps in October to coincide with Columbus Day celebrations.

“We want to assure the public that this much-loved civic event has not seen its final days,” Fr. Michael Mageria, parish administrator, said. “It will return in all its glory to its rightful place on the calendar in June 2013.”

The mid-June event has been held on the corner of East and Stevens streets since 1983. From its inception it was apparent the event would be popular and has grown to welcome tens of thousands of visitors yearly. The festival combines authentic Italian food, such as gelato, cannoli and pasta. with a midway, games and entertainment. Wine and beer are also served at the parish's fundraiser.

“The festival had grown so large, it had become, in its way, a small business enterprise that consumed much of David’s time throughout the year,” Fr. Magiera explained. “No one individual — or even a group of individuals — was immediately ready to take over such a large undertaking."

The church will announce the exact dates for the temporary festival slated for later this year. It is tentatively called "Taste of Italy," and will serve as a transitional festival until the return of the Italian Street Festival in June, 2013.

Holy Rosary Catholic Church was founded in 1909 to serve Italian immigrants in Indianapolis. Located at 520 Stevens Street. It is the only parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis to offer both the Ordinary and Extraordinary forms of Mass under one roof.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGo and Facebook. Gotta Go is published on www.BroadwayWorld.com and in M magazine and the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.