*The information provided below is for the 2003 event. Please check back for information on the 2005 Italian Heritage Celebration!

The 5th Annual Italian Heritage Festival will be held in Rivertown at 4th St. and Williams Blvd. on Friday, September 5, 2003, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 P.M. and Saturday, September 6, 2003, Noon to 10:00 p.m. There are attractions for the whole family and admission is free!

The new Friday evening addition features entertainment by the Wise Guys at 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. On Saturday, the Bucktown All-Stars will perform at 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday’s live music also includes Bobby Lonero and the New Orleans Express at Noon to 3:00 p.m., Joe Brocato’s Italian Gumbo Band at 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., The Spumante Singers at 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Mike Teifer "Off the Record" Mobile D.J. as host from Noon to 10:00 p.m.

Andrea’s, Brocato’s, Ferro’s, Hilton New Orleans Airport, LaBella’s, LeParvenu, Messina’s, Piero’s, Pizza Hut, Ristorante Carmelo and Vincent’s will provide fine Italian cuisine. The festival will also feature Chief Nick Congemi’s World Famous Italian Meatball Cones and Mayor Louis Congemi’s Italian Iced Tea.

Raffle prizes will be awarded hourly on Saturday, culminating in the grand prize drawing at 9:00 p.m. for a trip to Italy. Attendees can also enjoy a variety of singers, dancers, handmade arts and crafts and bocce demos from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Highlights at Rivertown Exhibition Hall are the St. Joseph Altar, solo singers from Noon to 5:00 p.m. and a place for families to have their photos and memorabilia duplicated for all to view. Entertainment for kids includes puppets, clowns, mimes, crafts and games at the Little Italy Children’s Area in Coca Cola Kenner Heritage Park and performances by the Metropelican Opera Company of the Opera Italia at the Cox Communications Children’s Castle at 11:30 a.m. and at 1:00 p.m.

Sponsors: Treasure Chest Casino and Entergy

MORE INFORMATION: To volunteer or to purchase raffle tickets, call 468-7293 or 468-7231.