Phil Vassar to headline 35th annual Festa Italiana

MILWAUKEE -- Festa Italiana officials announced Monday, July 9th country recording artist and songwriter Phil Vassar will be headlining Festa on Sunday, July 22nd at the Spiked Island Adult Lemonade Launch Party.

“Often labeled the ‘Piano Man of Country Music,’ Vassar has become known for his rhythm and blues-infused, infectiously buoyant brand of music. As a vocalist he has charted nineteen singles including two Number Ones on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. His energetic and original performance will be one to remember at Festa,” Dave Spano, president of Festa Italiana said.

"We've had probably more experience here in Milwaukee than any other city, and we play more in Wisconsin for sure than any other state every year, and I just think summertime and music go hand-in-hand here, and it's just exciting for us to come back to Milwaukee in a couple of weeks," Vassar said.

Vassar played Summerfest on Saturday, July 7th.

The fun kicks off on the Spiked Island Stage (Harley-Davidson Stage) with opening act, Old Dominion, at 7:30 p.m. followed by Vassar’s performance at 8:30 p.m.

There is no additional charge for Vassar’s performance. With the purchase of one general admission ticket, festival-goers will be able to experience Old Dominion and Vassar live in concert as well as partake in all the food, fun and sounds of Festa!

Tickets can be purchased at www.festaitaliana.com.

Festa Italiana runs Thursday, July 19 through Sunday, July 22 at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront, and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.