Italian Fest

October 26 2014

Today I was at the Italian Fest in Fort Myers. We have festivals in our little village but as we are small only several hundred attend them. This festival had more people there than live in 3 villages near me. So many people....eating...dancing...did I mention eating???? 

I was at the LaMotta's booth of course. They were serving meatball lollipops, Chicken Parm Sandwiches and cannoli's of course. They kept me really busy but I did get a chance to walk around and see what all was there. There were other restaurants there but some of them did not seem that they were Italian...even though they were serving Italian food. I did try the cavatelli one place had but it left me scratching me head. The sauce had an odd flavor and even adding some of LaMotta's sauce did not help much. It was certainly not like any other sauce I have ever had. I did have some great zeppoli's though....one of my favorites from back home. I also tried American ice cream from Queenie's. Love the name!!!! It was delish and while a prefer gelato this American ice cream was soooo good!!!!

I really thought I would get homesick being at this festival butta notta so much!!! Oh they had Italian music and some dancers but at 3 pm they played American music...not sure what they were thinking with that one cause I noticed people leaving once the American music started....they all must of been Italian! 

I did get to meet some wonderful people and had my picture taken with them. I even met some local celebrities. They were eager to have their picture taken with me even though I am just a cannoli! I looked for the Mayor of Fort Myers as I wanted to introduce myself to him but alas I could not find him in the crowd and I was also way to busy at the LaMotta's booth to keep searching for him. 

While there were a lot of people there, there seemed to be something missing. It was not like an Italian Festival back in my village. It was great getting to meet the people of SWFL and most were really nice...there was not anybody selling Italian trinkets. I missed seeing items from my homeland. I did not get to bring any such things over with me and would of liked to have a few. Contests are just not part of what we do either. 

Despite all that I did have a great time and I got a feel for what living in SWFL is all about!!!! Next weekend is the Taste of Lee so I am really looking forward to that. Another adventure!!!
Carmen