On a warm, sunny weekend with a gentle Bay breeze, Festa Italiana brought people to North Beach to celebrate San Francisco’s Italian American community. Hosted by the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club Foundation (SFIAC), the two-day festival featured a parade, puppet show for the kids, stilt-walkers, live music, vendors, strong coffee, and plenty of pasta and pizza.
Kai Seed, who is a North Beach resident, came out with his friend Alec Mortensen on Sunday afternoon to attend the festival. Seed said he came out to be part of the community, and enjoy the sunshine. He also wanted to try the food, wine, and get some cheese. “This is my first time coming but I live right around the corner. I walked through it yesterday, but didn’t stop by so I thought I’d come and check it out,” he said.
His friend Alec Mortensen said it was great to be out in the sunshine with his neighbors to enjoy the festivities, “I’m looking forward very much to get my first sip of wine. That hasn’t happened quite yet, but we’re looking forward to that. Get some food, it looks like there are some nice sandwiches over there.” said Mortensen.
Dressed in an all green suit from his shoes, dress pants, blazer, and hat with red lining, Jame Tuoto came with his wife, Aida Tuoto, attended with him in a matching green blouse. The couple had come right out of Sunday mass at Sts. Peter and Paul church. The couple was sitting in the hot sun listening to live music. James, who is Italian, said that the music, the way people were dressed, and smells of food in the air reminded him of Italy. He has been going the two day festival for roughly 10 years.
“Italians have big hearts and the food is as great as they are,” he said. “It’s a beautiful day out here, and I always tell people not to be afraid of colors, because the good lord created them. They can’t be bad.”
Graffero Coffee had its famous 1984 red Ferrari with a built in espresso machine out for people. Store manager Quincy Murphy said it was important for the business to come out to Festa Italiana because, “It’s heritage, it’s where we started. We like to support the community that we are in. We are supported by them so we like to give back.”
Bill Ganci, a member of the SFIAC, has been volunteering at the event for the past five years. Ganci said that it’s great to see people from all religions, and ethnicities coming down to North Beach to celebrate Italian Heritage, pointing out how important an event like Festa Italiana is to businesses because it helps boost foot traffic, especially on a Sunday, which will hopefully inspire people to come back to North Beach.
