A slice of Italian life in Lakewood Ranch

Festa Italiana offers chance to experience Italy.

  • By Berkley Mason
  • | 4:30 p.m. November 12, 2016
  • East County
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A slice of Italian life

Festa Italiana offers chance to experience Italy.

Once again, a trip to Italy was made accessible for those who live in Lakewood Ranch and the surrounding area.

Festa Italiana, sponsored by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, was held Nov. 12 for those who wanted a touch of Italian culture without leaving the area.

"Today is a fun day to stay local, we can just walk over to it," said Lakewood Ranch's Nicole Bentze. "This is our third year coming out for Festa Italiana. "My daughter loves to get her face painted and it's a great opportunity for the community to come together." 

The sixth annual festival was held at Greenbrook Adventure Park. The hundreds who attended celebrated with Italian food and wines along with live music and children's activities.  

"We changed a lot of things," said Ed Tulski, a board member for Festa Italiana. "We try to create a little more interest in not repeating ourselves all the time."

Akiko Campbell puts her artistic touch on the face of Riverwalk's Paige Broderick.
Akiko Campbell puts her artistic touch on the face of Riverwalk's Paige Broderick.
Jimmy Mazz entertains guests with his Italian Variety Show at Festa Italiana in Lakewood Ranch.
Jimmy Mazz entertains guests with his Italian Variety Show at Festa Italiana in Lakewood Ranch.
Lakewood Ranch's Nate Bentze, 10, plays his first round of Bocce Ball at Festa Italiana.
Lakewood Ranch's Nate Bentze, 10, plays his first round of Bocce Ball at Festa Italiana.
Country Club's Mila Nelson, 7, enjoys her monkey balloon.
Country Club's Mila Nelson, 7, enjoys her monkey balloon.
Lakewood Ranch's Allison Broderick, 4, makes an Italian-themed necklace.
Lakewood Ranch's Allison Broderick, 4, makes an Italian-themed necklace.
Sarasota's Bert Taylor, the chef at Goodfella's Cafe and Winery, puts his spin on pizza.
Sarasota's Bert Taylor, the chef at Goodfella's Cafe and Winery, puts his spin on pizza.
River Club's Emmy O'Hara, 2, and her sister Lily O'Hara, 4, obviously enjoyed having their faces painted.
River Club's Emmy O'Hara, 2, and her sister Lily O'Hara, 4, obviously enjoyed having their faces painted.
Lakewood Ranch's Ella Van Vliet, 2, and her mother, Kelly Van Vliet, rock some matching sunglasses.
Lakewood Ranch's Ella Van Vliet, 2, and her mother, Kelly Van Vliet, rock some matching sunglasses.
Lakewood Ranch's Gabriele Bucinskas, 11, tries out the inflatable slide at Festa Italiana.
Lakewood Ranch's Gabriele Bucinskas, 11, tries out the inflatable slide at Festa Italiana.
The cooks at Goodfella's Cafe and Winery brought their brick oven with them.
The cooks at Goodfella's Cafe and Winery brought their brick oven with them.
Osprey's Mary Lou Ferrari sniffs some red wine before tasting it at Festa Italiana.
Osprey's Mary Lou Ferrari sniffs some red wine before tasting it at Festa Italiana.
Lakewood Ranch's Grace Gillooly, 2, concentrates on her red slushy.
Lakewood Ranch's Grace Gillooly, 2, concentrates on her red slushy.
Siesta Key's Francesca DiSilvio, 3, takes a ride on an Italian horse.
Siesta Key's Francesca DiSilvio, 3, takes a ride on an Italian horse.

 

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