Italian Fest attendees try out homemade Italian food and shop vendor booths at a previous event. The 120th Italian Fest is scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday at the Al Quaal Recreation Area in Ishpeming. Festivities will include live music, bingo, pony rides, a kids obstacle course and more. (Journal file photo)

ISHPEMING — Celebrating 120 years of Italian Fest, the St. Rocco – St. Anthony Society of Ishpeming gets ready to kick off Saturday’s festivities with gourmet Italian entrees and activities for anyone of any ethnicity to participate in. 

The festival will begin at noon at Al Quaal Recreation Area with free admission. Along with the day’s activities, the Ishpeming Fourth of July Committee partnered up with St. Rocco – St. Anthony Society to put on a fireworks display, as the Independence Day show was canceled due to weather. 

Each year the festival attracts 3,000-5,000 people, mainly because it’s family orientated with free pony rides, an obstacle course, ring toss, bingo, inflatable bouncy castle, kid’s games with prizes and a selection of arts and crafts vendors. There’s something for everyone and anyone, and you don’t have to be Italian to join in, said Jim Bertucci, society president and festival chairman. And celebrating 120 years is another aspect people should be excited for, he added. 

“Sometimes (it feels) a little overwhelming but in other ways, you get a proud feeling you’re part of something bigger than you are. So many generations have gone and we keep it going. It feels good,” Bertucci said. 

Many people who go also enjoy the menu, Bertucci said. Homemade Italian food cooked by the Valela family will be sold at the society’s food booth, and other vendors will be present serving Ralph’s Italian Deli cudighis, Italian meatball sandwiches, panini made with meatballs served with garlic bread and salad. The varied selection of music from the Soundz of Time with locals Jan and Gino, the Ishpeming Blue Notes and Diamanti from Chicago will keep everyone satisfied, Bertucci said. 

People who haven’t gone to the festival before should experience the importance of heritage and culture, and to keep the tradition going, Bertucci added. 

“It’s to keep reminding ourselves that immigrants back in the day had it tough and that’s why the society started,” Bertucci said. “It’s actually called a mutual-aid society so everybody pooled their money together and if anything happened to a member, the society would take care of that family. (It’s important) to keep the tradition going for friendship and fellowship.” 

The event is relaxing and it’s a way to get your family and friends together for a good time, he said. 

For a complete schedule of events, visit the festival’s website at www.ishpemingitalianfest.com/index.html.