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Over 25 years ago, Ginnie Lostumbo’s father came up with the idea of an Italian Festival in Syracuse. He passed away before he could see it through.

Lostumbo and her sisters took it upon themselves to bring his vision to life, and now Festa Italiana is a yearly tradition for all Syracuse residents.

“It makes me feel very proud, it really does,” Lostumbo said. “It’s still family-run.”

2023 is the 25th anniversary of the Italian Festival, taking place from Sept. 15-17 in downtown Syracuse. Music from local artists like Just Joe filled the air, and visitors sang along while walking between packed booths. Families, couples and friends meandered through the center holding plates stacked high with meatballs and chicken riggies.

The festival began at a much smaller scale at the New York State Fair in 1971. In 1998, they moved to downtown Syracuse. Lostumbo described the event as a reunion, where one can see people who have been coming every year along with relatives and friends.

Julian Charles, vice president of Festa Italiana, has been part of the festival since its inception. He begins preparing for the event a year in advance and works 12-14 hour days in the weeks leading up to it coordinating with vendors and organizing logistics.

Charles finds it important to have a mixture of attendees at the event, not just Italians. Although 15 of Lostumbo’s cousins help at the event, the volunteers are made up of all nationalities.

“It’s a big family, and they’re all Italian,” Lostumbo said. “Somebody said to me, ‘What if it’s somebody that’s not Italian?’ and I go ‘They all say hello, how are you, what do you want, thank you very much,’ so we’re all Italian.”

An important aspect of the festival is its heritage events, Lostumbo said. They have an Italian priest speaking about Italy, a gelato-maker holding a demonstration, Italian bingo and more events throughout the weekend.

Lostumbo said that while much has changed at the festival in the past 25 years, three vendors have remained. Biscotti Café & Pastry Shop, Pascarella’s Bakery & Catering and Brancato’s Catering have all been part of the event since the beginning.

Cassandra Roshu | Photo Editor

Ginnie Lostumbo started Festa Italiana 25 years ago with her sisters. Her father came up with the idea before he passed, and now the festival carries his memory forward.
Cassandra Roshu | Photo Editor

Self-described foodie Sarah Pallo used to work at a restaurant on Warren Street. The Italian food at the festival is what draws her back every year.

“I wish there were smaller portions because you eat one thing and you get full,” Pallo said. “Other than that it’s always delicious.”

Pallo grew up in Syracuse and stopped by the event during her lunch break at work as a public information officer for the city. She has worked at various establishments downtown for the past 10 years and always makes a point to stop by the festival on her lunch breaks.

“I just like seeing things happening in Syracuse that are positive,” Pallo said. “Good music, food, people gathering.”

Brian Cocca, who has been to the event for the past three years, looks forward to the live music and good food, especially because he is Italian. It’s close to his workplace in downtown Syracuse, so stopping by the event is convenient.

This year, Cocca brought his son for the first time. His son had no comment but greatly enjoyed his butternut squash ravioli.

“It’s just always nice to have people out and about and live music in our city center,” Cocca said. “I certainly love Italian food.”

Peter Hall said a highlight of the festival is the chance to learn something new about a culture and meet new people. This year, he entered the meatball eating competition for the first time and won.

Contestants were given 90 seconds to eat 10 meatballs. Hall came in first by eating seven.

The winner of the competition received $500 that were donated to the charity of their choice.

“Listen, Italian food is delicious, and there’s a great Italian heritage here in Syracuse,” Hall said. “Just hang out if you don’t want to eat, have a soda or beer or something like that and just enjoy and hang out with people and meet new people.”

Violet Scibior, who came in second in the competition, said that she thinks the food at the festival is the best Italian food in Syracuse. She was surprised by the quality of the meatballs and kept eating them after the contest was over.

Hall said that bringing food and culture together is great because it allows people to learn something new. He compared the event to visiting a friend’s house where the family is cooking dinner, hearing their stories and enjoying their company.

“Isn’t that what all this is about in this life? To try to learn something … you learn a culture by food,” Hall said. “Especially on a beautiful day like today.”

Published on September 17, 2023 at 10:21 pm