FESTA! Slice of Milwaukee's lakefront tastes a lot like Italy this weekend

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A piece of Italy is coming to shores of Milwaukee -- July 18th through the 20th, the grounds of the Henry Maier Festival Park will be transformed into Festa Italiana.

Volunteers are busy setting up tents, preparing food and getting everything set for the festival that celebrates the Italian culture. On Wednesday a small crowd gathered along the lakefront as the gondolas were launched.

Salvatore Vella was on one of the gondolas as they docked and were blessed for the weekend. He was dressed for the occasion as Caesar.

“I've never been on a gondola actually so then it feels cool to be part of it and have the very first gondola ride of Festa to start it off,” said Vella.

It may have been Vella’s first gondola ride, but it won’t be his first Festa! Vella volunteers each year with his family.

“I really enjoy Festa! With all the food and fun and spending time with your family!” said Vella.

“This is such an amazing culture, and great upbringing for my kids, and as a family, that's what being Italian is. It's about family it's about unity it’s about being together,” said Salvatore’s mom Rhiana Vella.

The Vellas will be serving food -- something organizers said is always a big draw at Festa, but not the only reason to stop by.

“We have some really good Italian entertainment, good food, trying to do a bit more to provide a traditional experience on the grounds,” said Gina Spang, President of the Italian Community Center, “if you want to be Italian you can be Italian for the day or for the whole weekend.”

For more information about Festa, click here.