Festa Italia celebrates country's food, culture

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Festa Italia, a festival that paid homage to Italy's culture and food, was held in Pensacola on Saturday.

St. Anne's Catholic Church on Saufley Fields Road hosted the Nov. 10 event, which was organized by the Florida Chapter of the Sons of Italy, a national Italian organization.

Dozens showed up throughout the day to taste Italian food like pasta and meatball sandwiches and to visit numerous vendors.

Several vendors were local Italian-natives who set up stalls inside and outside of the civic center at the church.

There were also demonstrations of dances and spectators were even involved in the dances.

Proceeds went toward local charities, as well as scholarships. Attendance was free and there were also raffles and silent auctions to raise money.

FOX10 News Reporter Cory Pippin was at the event and will have more at 9 p.m.