Mangia! NJ Italian Festival

A few weekends ago we went to the Mercer County Italian Festival, and oh my, it was a fun evening. New Jersey has the second largest Italian population in the US (next to NY surprise surprise), and we enjoyed the perfect fall weather, carnival rides and of course the FOOD! To answer a few questions that would potentially come up:

 

1. Did we see any wise guys? Sorry to disappoint, but no. Did see some cute old Italian men wearing loafers sans socks and suspenders sitting at a table drinking espresso.

 

2. Did you see anyone from the Jersey Shore? Nope (not that we would know it if we did). There were folks that could be on the show as extras... lots of big hair, muscles and orange spray tans.    

Rode a bumble bee with Mama... Finally figured out how to make it go down with the handle bar at the very end. We got a nice view of the park!

Pilot Lindsay and Co-Pilot Daddy

Cherry Italian Ice. She did share ONE bite with Mama. But only one.

3. What foods did you eat? We had Cannelloni, Italian Ice, Vodka Rigatoni, and Sausage and Pepper sandwich. Everyone was carrying around Tomato Pies, which we had never heard of, but is Sicilian. I guess it is focchia bread topped with tomato sauce and Romano cheese. I am going to try it next year!

4. Do we have Italian ancestry? I do not, but felt right at home with my brunette hair. Jarrett's Papa (Grandpa) was half Italian and half Spanish, so he can claim a little!

Cannelloni anyone? J and I shared one from Nino's Bakery.

A mini replica of the Trevi Fountain in Rome... Looking forward to seeing the real one someday!

There was a huge Catholic display of the Virgin Mary (holding baby Jesus) and saints. Just in case you wanted to stop in and say a few "Hail Mary's"...

5. Was there entertainment? There was a band and lots of classic Italian songs from Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney and of course, Dean Martin. A tent for Bocce was set up too!

Sweet little peanut!

We didn't buy anything but food, but it was fun to see all the "bling'd" out stuff. Purses, shirts, baby stuff- just about anything that you could put rhinestones on, they were selling it. My favorite was a shirt that said, "It's not sauce, it's GRAVY!". We had so much fun, I think we will make it an annual event!