CLINTON, Ind. (WTWO, WAWV) – The Little Italy Festival began in 1966 as an event to foster appreciation for Clinton’s Italian Heritage.
Now, it’s the oldest festival in Indiana, and residents love to share their time old traditions with festival goers.
“Seeing all the different people. And watching them experience different things like grape stomping for instance,” said resident and former Grape Queen Anna Foltz. “And watching their reaction the first time they put their foot in the barrel.”
The festival has changed over the years, and Little Italy Festival Town board members have even added a few new elements to bring in more people.
“We’ve got a helicopter ride. We’ve got a bull ride,” explained LIFT President Michael Domeika. “We’ve got one of the big pools that you stand in the big balls and go around in circles.”
However, many things have stood the test of time.
“Plenty of food. Plenty of wine and plenty of good time,” said resident Bob Vermillion.
Every Labor Day Weekend residents welcome family, friends and new friends to their town.
“A lot of people that don’t live in the city now come back and we have like a reunion,” said Vermillion.
“There’s never a new friend,” said Foltz. “We’re all old friends that just haven’t met yet.”
Residents painted the town green, white and red in preparation for the influx of people.
“During the festival the town of Clinton usually grows double the size,” explained Domeika.
And who knows, festival goers may even learn the language while they visit.
“You see anybody on the street say hello how are you! And give them a big kiss and benvenuti a tutti,” said Foltz.
