ROCHESTER ITALIAN HERITAGE DAY

Rochester Public Market
Sunday, ​October 5, 2025
​11:00 AM until 4:00 PM
NO ADMISSION FEE

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The local community will gather at the Rochester Public Market for a large-scale event. The event will be open to all and include a sampling of authentic Italian and Italian-American influenced music, art, food, history and culture with opportunities for interactive engagement. This event promises to be different from other traditional cultural festivals of the past. Participants will have opportunities for hands-on engagement and a deeper appreciation of Italian culture. 
11:00 AM - Event Begins
​4:00 PM - Event Ends
CLICK HERE to find out how you can support this wonderful day of celebration. OR email us at ​​​[email protected].

ENTERTAINMENT ON ITALIAN HERITAGE DAY

MICHAEL SIDOTI

MARK DANIELS

Coming from an Italian/American family in East Irondequoit, New York, he always had musical curiosity and a desire to sing and play an instrument. While no one in his family displayed musical talents, he arrived with an overabundance! Can you imagine the tolerance of his parents, putting up with endless hours of trumpet performance in the bedroom right next to theirs? Despite that, his parents were always encouraging and supportive of my musical explorations and for that I'm eternally grateful.

2025 PERFORMANCE STAGE PROGRAM 

11:00​
Opening
11:00 - 12:00​
Michael Sidoti (Tarantella)
12:00 - 12:45
Roc City Singers
12:45 - 1:00​
Michael Sidoti (Tarantella)
1:00  -  1:30
Mark Daniels and Rachel Magill
1:30  -  2:00
Jessica Best
2:00 - 2:15
Nick Novellin
2:15
Michael Sidoti (Tarantella)
4:00
Closing

2025 SPEAKER SERIES at The Best Coffee at the Market

12:00​
Italian American History & Memory in Rochester
Michael Brown, Elisabetta D'Amanda
1:00​
Being Italian: A Multigenerational Perspective
Danielle Alesi. Jordyn Bagley, Kathy Castania
2:00
Oral History Projects, Archives and Migration Stories
​Joëlle Carota, Elisabetta D'Amanda, Timothy Kneeland, Kate Paulus
3:00​
Italian Citizenship (New Rules)
Vincenzo Scollo - Italian Consulate

2025 HONOREES at Cugini di Roc Cafe

2025 SECTIONS

  • Cugini di Roc Cafe - with Espresso, Karaoke, Storytelling and Tribute to Rochester Italian Americans
  • Children’s Activities  - Arts, Chalking, Face Paintings and Games and Prizes
  • Photo Booth with Props - 12:00 - 3:30 Provided by The Party Connections

2025 CULTURE AND HERITAGE BOOTHS

  • Origin and Migration
  • Language
  • Genealogy
  • Gesturing
  • Oral Histories
  • Rochester Sister City - Caltanissetta Sicily
  • Winemaking (Grape Stomping)

2025 DEMONSTRATIONS 

  • Jewelry Making with Mae Bead
  • Flower Arranging with Angela Masciangelo
  • Pasta Making with the Southeast Area Coalition

2025 VENDORS