Italian Festival is Saturday in Birmingham

The Italian American Heritage Society is hosting the Italian cultural festival at historic Sloss Furnace in Birmingham to celebrate Italian heritage and the Italian community's contributions to Alabama on Saturday, June 15.

The first Festa Italiana will celebrate and preserve Italian culture and heritage in the Birmingham area and will feature Italian food, beverages, music, culture, tradition, and more.

The main stage emcee will be media personality Niki Noto Palmer.

The festival features live musical performances on the mainstage, showcasing talented Italian inspired acts and tribute performers. There will be over 40 merchandise vendors, - many of them selling Italian foods, cannolis, and sausages.

There will be a grape stomping event sponsored by Sam Spina.

There will also be a bocce ball tournament.

"The purpose of the Italian American Heritage Society of Birmingham is to encourage, promote and preserve Italian culture and heritage with its activities centered upon Italian traditions." says Tina Savas, Co-Chair of Festa Italiana."We are thrilled to bring Festa Italiana to the Birmingham community to celebrate and honor our heritage and traditions."

The event is schedule to begin at 3:00 p.m. CDT.