"That's Amore,” the 1953 song by composer Harry Warren and lyricist Jack Brooks, became a huge hit for singer Dean Martin that same year.
On Sunday, July 16, the song was played several times throughout the day at the Fourth Annual Festa Italiana in Mokena. The festa is dedicated to the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
“This was the best festa yet,” said Frank Fleischer, Village President of Mokena. “I saw people I went to school with and grew up with in the old neighborhood and it is great for all of us to come together again,” Fleisher added.
Find out what's happening in Mokenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Italian music was flowing out of the large white tent along Front Street according to Vince DiFiore, Festa’s Chairman. “It was a perfect day to be Italian and everybody loves to be Italian at least one day a year and this year was no exception,” stated DiFiore.
DiFiore was part of the musical lineup as well under his stage name “Mr. Smooth” but said one of his favorite performers was fellow committee member and entertainment chairman Dave Molinari and his band The Fabtones. “The Fabtones had people there until late into the night and they do a great show,” added DiFiore.
Find out what's happening in Mokenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Preliminary attendance figures show the festa continues to grow annually with about 1800 adults entering the festa and counting the children, could make this year’s attendance the best to date.
There was no shortage of Italian food as the smell of pizza, sausage and green peppers filled the air. Steve Medina, who owns Anthony’s Pizza in Orland Park, was busy selling his Italian beef and meatball sandwiches. “I love the Festa because it’s so vibrant,” Medina said. “It brings you back to your childhood and to the memories of the old neighborhood. I was just so excited to be there.”
Besides good food, the festa had musical acts throughout the day and seating under the big tent was standing room only for nearly the entire afternoon.
Festa will be back next year according to DiFiore. “We look forward to planning an even bigger and better festa next year.”
For information about the festa or to donate to the charitable group, please contact Vince DiFiore at 773-778-8586.
