The Grande Festa Italiana

A Great End of Summer Tradition!

The largest and oldest feast on Long Island is a great way to end summer with a bang. Held every year from Wednesday through Sunday after Labor Day at North Hempstead Beach Park, West Shore Road, in Port Washington, the Grande Festa Italiana has something for everyone.

Great rides for kids from 1 to 99

Games for all ages with terrific prizes

Wide variety of delicious ethnic food featuring the Sons of Italy’s famous food tent with homemade dishes

• Live entertainment Thursday-Sunday night featuring Mario and Joe on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Thursday Evening at 7:30 PM Demonstration on how to make

HOME MADE PASTA SAUCE!!

Gambling casino every night with Black Jack, Wheels, Over & Under

Craft vendors

Spectacular fireworks display Sunday at 9:30 p.m.

• To help defray the costs of operating the feast there may be a $2 fee for parking per car.  

Wednesday September 3rd to Sunday September7th 2008

Hours of operation:

Wednesday and Thursday – 6 – 11 p.m.

Friday – 6 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Saturday – 2 p.m. – 12 .am.

Sunday – 2 – 11 p.m.

Kids Ride Free on Sunday from 12:30 to 1:30 PM!!!

Directions:

From West: L.I.E. (495) East to Exit 37. Stay on service road; make left on Roslyn Road. Or Northern State Pkwy East to Exit 29N; make right on Roslyn Road. Go to end of Roslyn Road (just over 1 mile), bear left onto West Shore Road (clock tower on right). Continue for 2.4 miles; Festa and parking entrance on right.   To help defray the costs of operating the feast there may be a $2 fee for parking per car.  

From East: L.I.E. (495) West to Exit 39. Stay on service road; make right on Roslyn Road. Or Northern State Pkwy West to Exit 29N; make right on Roslyn Road. Go to end of Roslyn Road (just over 1 mile), bear left onto West Shore Road (clock tower on right). Continue for 2.4 miles; Festa and parking entrance on right.  To help defray the costs of operating the feast there may be a $2 fee for parking per car.  

For more information about the Grande Festa Italiana, call 516-767-3123.

The Greatest Volunteers in the World.

The smiles on the faces of these wonderful volunteers explain why the food tent is such a huge draw at the Grande Festa year after year. Yes, there are rides and games. Yes, there is other delicious ethnic food. But, nothing can compare to the taste of Italian food made with the same love as goes into food prepared for family—that’s because everyone who eats at our famous food tent is considered family. Mangia bene!

Grande Festa Italiana 2007

Feast Chairman John O'Neil

Most of the same volunteers have been involved with the Grande Festa since it began nearly 30 years ago and they wouldn’t think of taking a year off. It’s like they’re feeding thousands of family members with multiple generations coming to dinner—well, with dozens of helping hands.

Countless hours are spent planning, organizing, cooking and coordinating for this fantastic event that entertains and feeds over 10,000 visitors each year. Come and enjoy and you’ll see why the Grande Festa Italiana is such a highly anticipated event every year.

One of the oldest and largest Italian feasts on Long Island.  A great way to end the summer - make it a tradition.  We look forward to seeing you every year! 

Buon appetito!

Gallons of tomato sauce, thousands of meatballs, hundreds of pounds of sausage and peppers are prepared with the same love as if they were being served to family.

The Grande Festa Italiana is proudly sponsored by the John Michael Marino Lodge #1389 Port Washington Order Sons of Italy in America. All proceeds from the Festa support a variety of local and regional charities so you’ll be having a great time and supporting great causes when you come and enjoy.