Two Italian fests coming to the Capital Region on Sept. 7

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) — Festivals are ramping up for the fall season and two Italian festivals are coming up on the same day. The Little Italy StreetFest in Schenectady and Amsterdam’s ItaliaFest are set for Saturday, September 7.

The 19th annual Little Italy StreetFest takes place along North Jay Street at Union Street from noon to 9 p.m. The festival features live music, food from the nearby Italian restaurants, vendors, and a new kids activity space called Bambini Boulevard.

This year’s king and queen of the Little Italy StreetFest are Neil and Mona Golub. Festival organizers choose a king and queen each year based on their involvement and impact in the local community.

A Tomato Pie Eating Contest will also happen during the festival with the winner getting a $200 gift card to MORE Perreca’s. Bambini Boulevard will be down down Warren Street to North Center Street and have a sidewalk chalk contest, kids DJ and dance party, a balloon sculptor, kids crafts, face painting, and a bounce house.

Restaurants

• MORE Perreca’s
• Perreca’s
• Cornells in Little Italy
• Civitello’s
• Hunter’s on Jay

Live music

• North Stage:
  • TS Ensemble from noon to 3 p.m.
  • The Rogues from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • The Refrigerators from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• South Stage from noon to 6 p.m.:
  • Edward T Clifford, The Human Jukebox
  • Joe Sinatra
  • Demantra Constantine
  • Carla Paige
  • Joe Severino
  • Other guest vocalists
• Bambini Boulevard all day:
  • Wujciak Productions, DJ Gru

Vendors

• Albany Diocesan Cemeteries
• Albany Times Union
• All Purpose Gifts
• Bella Bling Sterling Silver, LLC
• Black Brush Crafts
• Captain Kernel Kettle Corn
• Cozy by Alex
• Creative Gifts 2000
• Crystalized Face Painting & Magic Treasure
• Dog Den Bake Shop
• Dyes by Harvest
• Face & Body Painting
• Flavor Savour Freeze Dried
• Gallagher’s Catering Sweets
• Garofalo’s
• Gusto Della Vita Olive Oil
• Healing Lily Metaphysical Boutique
• Holiday Wreaths by Patricia Jean
• JSD Craft & Designs
• Jus Kickback
• Kona-Ice of Clifton Park
• Maria’s Cafe & Catering
• Mary Kay Skincare and Cosmetics
• Meadowdale Farm Winery
• Mike’s Hot Dogs
• Misfit Crafts
• Nini’s Sicilian Salsa
• Renaissance Pesto
• Schenectady College and Career Outreach Center
• Sideline Designs
• Solely Ashley Boutique
• Stunad’s
• Sweet Treat Cotton Candy
• Vicki’s Tupperware
• Wood Flowers by Bottles Up & More

Parking is available in the Liberty & Franklin Lot, 601 Union Street Lot, Broadway North Lot, Center City Lot, Clinton North Lot, and City Hall Lot. Parking is free on the weekends.

Amsterdam’s ItaliaFest Sponsored by River Ridge Living Center takes place along Bridge Street from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The festival features food, vendors, live music, a spaghetti eating and homemade wine contest, games, Art in the Park, fireworks, and more.

Port Jackson Bocce Club will also be hosting an ItaliaFest Bocce Tournament that day at 11 Erie Terrace in Amsterdam. You can call (518) 848-0036 to sign up for the tournament.

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