ROCHESTER ITALIAN HERITAGE DAY

Rochester Public Market
Sunday, ​October 4, 2026
​11:00 AM until 4:00 PM
NO ADMISSION FEE
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. 
CLICK HERE to find out how you can support this wonderful day of celebration. OR email us at ​​​[email protected].

ITALIAN HERITAGE DAY ENTERTAINMENT 2026

MAIN STAGE PERFORMANCES

11:00 - 11:15​
Michael Sidoti
11:15 - 11:30​
Welcome
11:30 - 11:45
Italian Social Folk Dancing - Kate Causbie 
11:45 - 12:00​
Michael Sidoti
12:00  -  12:30
Roc City Singers
12:30  -  12:45
Mayor Evans, Elisabetta D'Amanda and Kathy Castania
12:45 - 2:00
Opera/Pop
  • Mark Daniels
  • Jessica Best
  • Nick Novellin
  • Jessie Keim
2:00 - 2:15
Italian Social Folk Dancing - Kate Causbie
2:15 - 3:00
Michael Sodoti
3:00 - 3:15
Italian Social Folk Dancing - Kate Causbie 
3:15 - 3:30
Appreciations and gratitude
3:30 - 4:00
Michael Sodoti and open dancing

MICHAEL SIDOTI                                       KATE CAUSBIE

MARK DANIELS                                         ROC CITY SINGERS                        

CUGINI DI ROC CAFE STAGE AND VENDORS

11:00 - 4:00​
Open for Coffee and Pastries
12:45 - 1:00​
Italian Social Folk Dancing - Kate Causbie
1:00 - 2:00​
Alla Boara Band 
2:00 - 3:00​
Honorees Ceremony

SPEAKER SERIES at The Best Coffee at the Market

11:30​
A Closer Look At What “Ethnic” Means in Rochester’s Italian-American Community
1:00​
Caltanissetta & Agropoli: Connecting With Our Area’s “Sister Cities”
2:00
LGBTQIA + Voices from Rochester's Italian American Community
3:00​
Citizenship Rules & Other News From The Honorary Consulate of Italy

II CIRCOLO SPORTIVO | SPORTS AND GAMES

1:00 - 4:00​
Buffalo Bills vs. Patriots Watch Party - Let's Go Buffalo!

OTHER ACTIVITIES

12:00 - 3:30​
Photo Booth with Props
Provided by The Party Connections
11:00 - 4:00​
Virtual Reality Headsets with Images of Italy
​Provided by Travel with Sean
11:00 - 4:00​
​Arts and Crafts
  • Face Painting
  • Mask Making
  • Chalking
  • Drawing

2026 CULTURE AND HERITAGE BOOTHS

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

2026 DEMONSTRATIONS 

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

2026 VENDORS

2026 RAFFLE ITEMS

Prize Description​
Donor
Made around Rochester Basket​
Luigi’s Coffee Basket with Gift Card
Gratsi Wine Glasses
Sicily Basket
Succulent Arrangement
Critter Cage
Pizza Basket
Coffee at Home Basket
Italian Wine & Treats Basket
The Pasta Villa Gift Certificate
Lombardi’s Gourmet Imports Gift Card
Savoia’s Bakery Gift Card
Wegmans Gift Card
Rubino’s Italian Food Market Gift Certificate #1
Rubino’s Italian Food Market Gift Certificate #2
Lisa’s Liquor Barn Gift Card
The Cocktail Lab:  A Cocktail Class for Two Gift Certificate
Rosey's Italian Café Gift Certificate
Tripi Pasta Gift Certificate and Granola
​Lamplighter Restaurant Gift Certificate​
Visit Rochester 
Luigi's Coffee Shop 
Courtney Fleming
Louise Spinelli
Mary Criddle
Mary Criddle
Chaffee Family
Bagley Family
Linda Burr
Pasta Villa 
Lombardi's 
Savoia's 
Wegmans
Mary Criddle
Mary Criddle
Italian Women's Civic Club of Rochester
Brandon the Bartender
Rosey's Italian Café
Tripi Pasta
Chaffee Family

PIRATE TOY FUND