Archives: Freetime
Updated: Monday, June 14, 2004 6:13 PM EDT

Large Crowds Reported For Newport's ItalianFest

NEWPORT Food was the main attraction on Newport's Riverboat Row this past weekend, as the city held its annual ItalianFest. The festival drew 120,000, according to Sal Wertheim, special events coordinator for the City of Newport.

Authentic Italian food, from a variety of local restaurants, was the main course for the festival's menu, but those hungry for something else, could also enjoy games, rides and fireworks not just the lasagna or manicotti.

What no one enjoys, however, is rain. Thankfully, for food vendors and visitors alike, the food stayed dry for the most part. Spotty showers rolled through during the first few days, noted Pompilio's owner Frank Mazzei, but overall the weather was accommodating, particularly compared to 2003's rain-soaked event.

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"The festival turned out fine. The weather was relatively good," said Mazzei. "It was rainy part of the weekend, but the weather was a lot better than last year."

On Sunday last year, it stormed all day, Mazzei remembered. This year, there were occasional showers on the first few days of the festival, but the final day on Sunday was "really good," he added.

Jason Feldmann