Lewes Italian Festival

LEWES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S SECOND FUN FRIDAY EVENT:

 AN ITALIAN FESTIVAL

SPONSORED BY BOLLA WINES

IN THE HISTORIC BUSINESS DISTRICT SURROUNDING SECOND STREET

 Friday May 11, 2012 All Day!

                The Lewes Chamber of Commerce members in the Historic Business District surrounding Second Street are hosting their second FUN FRIDAY event – an Italian Festival that will take place Friday MAy 11th from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.  The fun begins when the specialty shops in the historic district open featuring Italian-themed merchandise specials and some with Italian refreshments. A pair of musicians, Carole & Len Wolek, playing the accordion and mandolin will be strolling the street and in the restaurants from 1 – 3 p.m. 

                Second Street will be transformed into an authentic Italian street festival.  Second Street will be closed to parked cars and traffic so the process of clearing the street can take place and allow the restaurants located in the historic business district to set up on the street selling the Italian food listed below.

                There will be stages set up at both ends of Second Street for live entertainment beginning at 5 p.m.  Mario Rocco kicks it off by crooning some of the best Italian melodies this side of Venice.  Activities that are sure to delight families include appearances from 6 to 8 p.m. by Chuckles the Clown, making animal balloons and magician Charlie Joseph with his portable magic show.  Another duo of musicians, Bob Palese and Charlie Tumini, will be entertaining festival attendees with an accordion and drum accompaniment in front of Citizens Bank from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 7:15 to 8 p.m.  At 6:30 p.m., on another stage closest to Market Street, Strega Nona and The Magic Pasta Pot will be performed by two actors from Family Stages playing all the characters in a fast-paced, fun-filled forty-five minute production designed to delight audiences of all ages. Strega Nona is the charming grandma witch of Italian folklore who uses her magic chants and potions to help the residents of her little village. Members of the Delaware Comedy Theatre troupe will be entertaining festival goers in various locations during the street festival.

Lastly, opera singer Nadine Rubanoff will be featured on the stage closest to Savannah Road at 8 p.m. She’ll perform a vocal program of Italian songs, Bel Canto, art, folk and operatic gems by composers Verdi, Puccini, Bellini and Rossini. 

                Second Street will re-open to cars and traffic at 10 p.m.

                Restaurants in the historic business district will be selling a wide variety of your favorite Italian foods during the street festival portion of the event and the specialty shops and businesses will be featuring their own Italian-themed specials that day.  

The Buttery - Crispy fried Arborio rice balls with Fontina cheese centers & individual Tiramisu cups (Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival award winner)

Café Azafran - Lamb meatballs, bruschetta, gnocchi and biscotti, coffee

Gilligan’s – Sausage, peppers & onions & Pizzelles

Jerry’s Seafood & Blue Sea Café – Assortment of raviolis – lobster, cheese, meat & eggplant parmesan

Notting Hill Coffee Roastery - Limoncello bars, biscotti, Italian espresso, Italian hot & cold chocolate

Cake Bar – Chocolate Tiramisu, Cannoli, Biscotti, Italian Shrimp & Potato Salad, Flatbread Pizza & Meatball Subs

Touch of Italy – Serving Banfi wines, the official wine of the 2011 Italian Festival; Sausage & peppers; Zeppolie and assorted pastries.

Half Full – Pizza

Kindle - Lobster risotto

Striper Bites – Raw bar and other Italian favorites

Agave Tequila Bar & Restaurant– Italian-themed gastronomic delights

Beseme – Luscious, lovely Lasagna and Italian salad

King’s Homemade Ice Cream Shop – Special Italian-themed ice cream dessert with amaretto

In-store featured activities/specials

The Stepping Stone- Add extra flair to your Italian feast with beautiful wine glasses and serving platters hand-crafted by American artists-open until 8 pm

Kids’ Ketch – Visit the Trevi fountain in front of store.  Featuring Italian-made Quercetti toys; Bocce set and will raffle one; Demos for kids to play with and discounted prices

R & L Liquors – Italian wine tasting from 3 - 7 p.m. including a selection of Banfi wines

Zwaanendael Museum – Bocce ball game set up outside museum and exhibits on Italian explorers -Verrazano, Columbus, Vespucci and Cabot

Ginger Moon – 15% all Bambino yarns and patterns, serving Italian treats and open until 8 pm

Lewes Gourmet – Olive Oil tasting (Italian, Spanish & Californian) and balsamic vinegars. Drawing for $25 gift certificate

Puzzles - $2 off any Italian scene puzzle

Two Friends – Red, white and green merchandise discounted

P.U.P.S.  - Giving a treat bag of Italian gourmet doggie pastries - biscotti or cannoli with every $25 purchase. Little Italy Merrick dog food on sale for 50% off only on the day of the festival

Kids Cottage face painting Italian flags in front of Deanna’s & Piccolino

Twila Farrell - 10% off their new Allison Sherri sweater line and 30% off Italian leather, Pikolinos shoes.

Deanna’s & Piccolino - Free Italian surprise gift with every purchase

Sand N Stones – Selling Pizza Popcorn during the day until 5 p.m.

Art for a Purpose, the Midge Smith Fine Art Gallery –135 Second Street, Second floor from 5-8 p.m. See works of artists from other countries, representing a variety of media, styles and sizes. Come see and also taste the fruit of the Italian vine: sparkling Asti Spumante and Prosecco

Aquamarine at 114 – 10% off Magaschoni clothing and serving Italian refreshments

Josephine Keir Ltd At Home – 20% off Vietri dinnerware and flatware including any special orders from the book or www.vietri.com

Shorebreak – 10% off everything in the store (excluding sale items) and serving Italian beers

Marsha’s Co. – Anyone wearing red, white, green will receive a 10% discount. Anyone wearing a Marsha’s red, white, green t-shirt will receive a 20% discount

Blooming Boutique – Special trunk show from New York jewelry designer Brenda Peruzza of Peruzzi Originale; 25% off all Italian Shoemaker shoes, bead specials on Italian glass from Trollbeads & Chamilia and serving Italian refreshments

Lewes Gifts – All wine and Italian related items at 15% off and serving Italian refreshments

biblion – Italian-themed lecture

Cotton Company – An Italian designer-inspired gift with every purchase

Beach Jetty – All red, white and green merchandise is 10% off

Flowers by Mayumi – Italian Olive tree is 10% off

Lewes Historical Society – Unveiling of the Giovanni Verrazano commemorative plaque at the Cannonball House will take place at 2 pm and everyone is invited

Traders Jewelry & Gift Shop – Belle Etoile jewelry from Italy is 10% off

Ocean Atlantic Sotheby’s International Realty – Offering nutella paninni

Ocean Retreat Day Spa & Hair Studio- Featuring a few Italian-themed spa treatments including Limoncello body wraps, body scrubs, manicures, pedicures and massages and Tiramisu facials, massages, manicures and pedicures – all at 10% discount.

Abraxas Studio of Art – Art show in the courtyard in front of the storefront

Live Entertainment

1 – 3 p.m.  Carole & Ken Wolek – Strolling Duo -Accordion & Mandolin Players – Perform in restaurants and stroll down the streets surrounding Second Street

5 -6 p.m.  Mario Rocco – On stage at Savannah Road & Second Street

6 – 8 p.m.  Chuckles the Clown – On Second Street Making Balloons

6 – 8 p.m.   Charlie Joseph Magic Show – On Second Street

6-6:30 p.m. and 7:15 – 8 p.m.  Accordion and Drum Duo –On Bank Street at Second Street

6:30 – 7:15 p.m.  Strega Nona & The Magic Pasta Pot Performance- On stage at Market & Second Street

Delaware Comedy Theatre troupe – Variety of locations on Second Street

8 - 9 p.m. Nadine Rubanoff – Vocal program of Italian songs, Bel Canto, art, folk and operatic gems -Verdi, Puccini, Bellini & Rossini