Columbus Italian Festival

This year was my first time exploring the Columbus Italian Festival and I'm so glad I did. Tickets were only $10 and you could order them in advance online. My super Italian friend and I went early on Sunday afternoon and stayed for about an hour and a half. After browsing through the streets to see what they had going on, we decided that food was next on the to-do list. We each got a piece of pizza, shared a bowl of pasta from local favorite Pelinos, and got our own cannoli. Most of the food vendors were traveling food stands like those you see at the fair. I only saw a few (including Pelinos) that were actually local. Along with food, they had rides for the kiddos, a stage with a full entertainment schedule (we got to see the marching band competition), and boozy drinks for those over drinking age. They also had a small number of retail-ish type booths and a good number of other random businesses staged throughout but honestly nothing we would stop and spend time on. Overall, I would totally come again next year but I'd love to see more local establishments featured.

Amazing, wonderful, beautiful community with music and food to boot. The 40th anniversary was the theme this year with rides, food and traditional music. I had frollicked in the area for large mum plant while waiting for my coworkers. Tried some free caramel corn and some wine since I was full from working Highball downtown. This fest was a treat. I love it when people celebrate their culture and educate on what the past was like in their time. I had gotten an Affogato and cookies from Carfagna's which was an IDEAL dessert. The espresso was just right with the ice cream and whip. It was cold that night but I needed that treat. The number one star of the night was the Street Players band who blew us away with fun tunes and fun music! We met some new friends and we literally danced the night away. I think we broke the area curfew in fun! 5 stars! This festival was so worth it!

I had so much fun at the Italian Festival! I've lived in Columbus for 11 years and this was my first time there, so this was long overdue. I should add a disclaimer that I live within walking distance so I can't speak to any parking concerns. My friend also had free entry passes so I didn't have to pay for that, which was a win! Either way, I think $5 is a very reasonable entry fee. I did see someone on here upset that they only accepted cash. If anything, festivals and fairs are the only time I go out of my way to get cash out before I go. Most of these places are mom and pop shops so credit card typically never seems to be an option. Although I do agree that it's 2017 so there should be some type of mobile credit card reader. So just a heads up on the cash only thing! I got out $40 and only spent $26. I knew ahead of time that I wanted pasta. Luckily for me, there was a pasta dinner served by Carfagna's in the lower level of the church. I have never been to Carfagna's restaurant, but I've heard great things! I ended up getting the dinner which consisted of a healthy portion of spaghetti, two meatballs, a roll and a salad...all for only $8! I really enjoyed my meal. I can be really picky about my pasta sauces but this marinara is top notch. Great flavor and consistency; exactly what you'd want from a traditional Italian restaurant. The meatballs were great as well. They could have been just a tad more moist, but the flavor was great. And you obviously can't go wrong with bread and butter! I was so full that I didn't even want the salad! (Side note on the salad- they only had oil as dressing. Would have preferred Italian dressing). For dessert, I actually ended up getting two items! (Which is standard for me when I'm at a fair or festival). I got two scoops of Gelato (wish I could remember the shop's name- I think they're in Westerville). I actually don't even like gelato. It never seems to be creamy enough for me (which makes sense bc there's not as much milk in it). I really enjoyed my two scoops, especially the Belgian chocolate. I would definitely get that again! My second dessert was a tiramisu cup. Once again, I don't even like tiramisu! Not a fan of the coffee flavor. However, a vendor was giving away free samples and I tried it and was sold! There was not a strong coffee flavor and it was mostly the cream with not as much cake, which I liked. I will say that my friend and I went at 430 on a Saturday and left around 8. We purposely went while the OSU football game was on and there was still quite a crowd! However, as we were leaving, it started getting packed with people from the game. Like elbow to elbow. I couldn't wait to get out! So just be very mindful of the time you go. It's a small festival so when there's that many people, it honestly feels like it's busting at the seams/at max capacity. Overall I'd recommend it and I will be back next year! I'd also like to try Carfagna's restaurant and that gelato shop in the meantime.

We had such a wonderful time. Parked at Columbus State and took the free shuttle. We had the meatballs, pizza, and Italian ice. So good!Large crowd for such a small space.

Always a great time. Who doesn't love food. Better yet, it is Italian food made by real Italians. My man and I go every year we can make it. The hardest decision to make is what food are we having first. The church is beautiful, you have to go once just to see it. We always get the Italian Wedding Soup, an Italian Sausage with peppers and onions of course. Don't forget the Sicilian Pizza. And then we finish off with a cannoli if we have room and money. Of course, we have to have an Italian beer or two. There are also plenty of vendors selling variety of things. Sometimes they have cars on display. They used to have the big huge meatball, but didn't see it this year...disappointing. If you have children they have rides for them as well. And who can forget the live music and dancing...wonderful.

We came down for the culture and music. Who are we kidding, we came for the food. It's always the food...We had actually never been here, even though this has been going on forever and we think about it every year. We go to a lot of festivals; this has been an off year though, since we've been busy with other stuff. Today Sweetie was adamant, and we went. Saturday night, nice weather, crowded festival. It was crazy busy, but the food was really good. We had pizza from the church stand. It was great- thin, a little greasy, perfectly done. A cheese calzone from another stand was amazing- great cheese, great dough. Plus some pizzelles and cannoli from yet another stand, which I haven't tried yet.It gets a little expensive with parking (the streets are packed,) entry, and food. But it is fun. Yet another great Columbus festival.

I really, really, really wanted to give the Italian Festival more stars - love the idea, love celebrating my heritage - but I just can't bring myself to give any more based on my experience Friday.Parking was nearly impossible, lines were long and apparently the band playing on the CD101 stage considered Springsteen and Journey the most appropriate music selection for the evening. The WMNI stage was a bit more appropriate, except that one of the performers we watched flat out admitted to being Irish.I was also extremely bummed that the "World's Largest Meatball" was in a cage, and in fact, not the world's largest. I do think the festival is worth checking out and I'm already looking forward to next year and the hopes that I'll give some additional stars. This year's visit just didn't live up to my expectations.

This festival is one of the best usually unfortunately this years vendors were not as impressive. Though I must say people watching at the Italian festival is good for the soul- Italians are hot and they're food is to die for. $5 to get in or check out groupons 2 for 1 deal. Make sure you go hungry and with a dress or loose pants on because the food is killer. Great for the whole family-kid inflatables, crafts, face paint and more

Went to Taste of Italy on October 1. Waited in a significant line to get in, then in even more significant lines to get food. Event was supposed to run from 5:30-8:30pm, but by 7:00pm they were predominantly out of food. Not enough tables. Definitely not worth $40.

Came here for the first time this year, and it was hit or miss, in my opinion. The world's largest meatball was a huge disappointment. You couldn't really see it, and it smelled like soggy, old dog food. So no surprise they were donating it to a local animal shelter. Not fit for human consumption! There was a vendor with paintings for sale, almost all of which were of Paris. Wrong country, bro. Aside from that, there were mostly good vendors. There was some fantastic food to be had. We had a vodka sauce pasta and a mushroom pasta. Yum! There were also some very impressive performances in the church by a youth string ensemble. All in all, I would go back but I'd like to see it go free admittance like most cbus festivals.