The joyous sounds, savory smells and good vibes of Italy filled the grounds of the Italian Center on Mill Street in Poughkeepsie for four straight days from Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 4-7, as the venerable civic and cultural institution celebrated its annual Festa Italiana. Despite some rain on Saturday, it was Sunny Italy through and through for the hundreds of people of all ethnic groups who attended the popular yearly celebration.
“This is our 12th year, and I have been at every one,” said Marie Belmonte, a member of the center’s Ladies’ Auxiliary since 1971, who was manning the panini stand. “I’m very proud to be a part of it, and will continue to be a part of it as long as they need me. This is all about celebrating the Italian people and their cultural heritage while having a good time, eating good food and listening to great music.”
And all of the things that Belmonte spoke of, from the heritage to the food to the music, were present in vast amounts.
In one tent, a “History of the Italian Center” exhibit displayed the many contributions of Italian-Americans to Poughkeepsie and America, particularly in terms of military service. World War II hero John K. Rinaldi, after whom the center is named and whose two brothers who were killed in action in that conflict gave their name to Rinaldi Boulevard by the Hudson, was particularly highlighted. In separate photos he was seen with Supreme Allied Commander in Europe Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower, Gen. George S. Patton, and Gen. Mark Clark, the liberator of Rome in June 1944. Other photos showed the five Peluse brothers who proudly served in that war, George, Joe, Vincent, Leonard and Louis. Vincent Peluse, a former president of the Italian Center, was the last survivor of this distinguished group of fraternal patriots, and passed away this year at the age of 91.
Other materials documented the founding of the Sons of Italy lodge in Poughkeepsie in 1922, the center’s participation in the city’s Bicentennial Parade in 1976 (with Belmonte in front, holding the institution’s banner) and the group’s efforts to aid victims of the southern Italian earthquake of 1980, along with many other civic gatherings and contributions.
As much as food for the spirit is a part of the Italian heritage in America, it is food for the body that Italians are most famous for, and this was on offer in all its legendary variety. A tent stretching along the east side of the grounds featured, in separate stands, ziti and meatballs, sausage and peppers, panini, a clam bar and pizza. More rarefied specialties such as eggplant rolatini, fried calamari, arancini, and pasta e fagioli were also to be had. And just to confirm that “Italian-American” is a community with two aspects, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and fries were available in another concession stand nearby. Wines as well as beer, sodas and mineral water rounded out the culinary fare.
Opposite the food tent, there was a Cafe Italiano with the gamut of traditional pastries from cannoli and cheesecake to tiramisu and torrone, as well as Italian ices, complemented by espresso and cappuccino.
For diversion there were games such as the money wheel, duck pond, tic-tac toss, can knock and a dunking booth, in which was seated a game young lady who did not take a dunking when the Beat was there. Raffles for tickets to Yankee and Met games, as well gift certificates to local landmark restaurant Milanese and Portofini, completed the games of chance.
The multi-ethnic crowd was serenaded by the brothers Carmelo and Dominic Liardi from Newburgh. Carmelo sang “O Sole Mio,” “Quando, Quando, Quando,” the Andrea Bocelli hit “Con Te Partiro” and many other famed Italian standards.
Whatever their background, the people present seemed universally satisfied with the festival.
“I love it. I come every year especially for the linguini and clam sauce,” said Charlotte White of Poughkeepsie.
“It’s very, very well organized,” said Brian Mannain of Manhattan, who was visiting relatives in the area. “The food is great, and so are the people.”
“A good time had by all,” beamed Joseph Dita of Poughkeepsie.