Punta Gorda Goes Italian.... Crowds Turn Out for Festa Italia

Punta Gorda bustled last night with season in full swing.... the Ice House, the Celtic Ray, the Crab House, Jacks, the Slip-Not ...  packed.  But drawing the biggest crowds was the Festa Italia.  The vision of a man who missed the Italian festivals up north... this incredible fun event made it's debut in what, as evidenced but the fun participants were having, should become an annual festivity.

Arriving late, I was immediately drawn back to those festivals up north through the familiar lively sounds and smells.  I caught an amazing performance by Frank Corso .. singing songs made famous by Andrea Bocelli as well as other Italian favorites.  At least 15 booths served up an array of specialities including pastas, cheesesteaks, zeppole, italian pastries and more.  Here are some images from the festival still running until 8 p.m tonight.

Crowds roamed through the grounds tasting the Italian food and listening to France Corso and other entertainment:

And serve food they did, Limoncello's offering pastas and more:

And then Bella Napoli with their Cannoli:

And then there was the cheesesteaks:

And the crowds watched, listened and ate: