Holy Rosary Italian Street Festival returns to Indianapolis June 14-15, 2013

Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 520 Stevens St., Indianapolis, will once again open its hearts and grounds to the festival lovers of Indiana. Having to cancel last year's event, the parish released a statement promising to come back this year with the beloved event.

And they are fulfilling that promise.

Located in the Fletcher Park neighborhood, the little parish that could is rolling out the red carpet with its annual fundraiser.

The family friendly event offers a mini-Midway alongside the parish and includes rides and games. You can find rubber ducky games, dart-throwing and basketball tossing. Rides include a carousel for the little ones as well as older kid's rides.

Families, friends and strangers will come together to raise much-needed money for the tiny church through food, drinks, snacks, games and rides.

Every year dedicated volunteers roll up their sleeves (figuratively and literally) in the 90+ degree weather and the scorching sun to dish up meatballs, spaghetti and cannoli. No good Italian festival is good without Italian beer and wine, however, and there wills plenty of beer chilling on ice and wine being uncorked.

This year, two stages are added for musical entertainment in the form of the The Indy Nile Band and Cooking with Nonna on the main stage. A side stage will feature Theotokos.

The best part of this festival is the spirit of the people who hold it and those who attend. Everyone's spirits are high and welcoming, joking and laughing while they dish up hundreds upon hundreds of their goodies for those wanting to capture the flavor of the Italian cuisine and culture.
Hours: Friday , June 14: 5-11 pm; Saturday, June 15: 5-11 pm rain or shine
Website: www.HolyRosaryParish.org
Note: The Italian Street Festival is held the 2nd weekend of June annually.

Photos: Elizabeth J Musgrave

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

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.

Holy Rosary Italian Street Festival 2011

Holy Rosary Parish, 520 Stevens St., Indianapolis, opened its annual Italian Street Festival last night with a quickly growing number of people for the perfect weather. Catholics and non catholics are welcome for this fundraiser held, literally, on the steps of the south side's parish.

A favorite part of the festival for me is people watching. And the food. And people making food. Every year dedicated volunteers roll up their sleeves (figuratively) in the 90+ degree weather and the scorching sun to dish up meatballs, spaghetti and cannoli. No good Italian festival is good without Italian beer and wine, however, and there was plenty of beer chilling on ice and wine being uncorked.

I didn't find a couple of traditional items this year. I asked and looked around but did not see the cigar lady rolling her handmade smokes this year. I also failed to find my beloved gelato. Not sure if I somehow overlooked both of these tents, but no one I asked seemed to know where, or if, those were available this year. If you find them, let me know; otherwise the festival won't be the same for me.
The family friendly event offers a mini-Midway alongside the parish and includes rides and games. You can find rubber ducky games, dart-throwing and basketball tossing. Rides include a carousel for the little ones as well as older kid's rides.

The best part of this festival is the spirit of the people who hold it and those who attend. Everyone's spirits are high and welcoming, joking and laughing while they dish up hundreds upon hundreds of their goodies for those wanting to capture the flavor of the Italian cuisine and culture.

Hours: Friday , June 10: 5-11 pm; Saturday, June 11: 5-11 pm rain or shine
Website: www.HolyRosaryParish.org
Note: The Italian Street Festival is held the 2nd weekend of June annually (in case you missed this year's).
Photos: Elizabeth J Musgrave
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and performing arts critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, on aroundindy.com, and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.

Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.