By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
West Haven is the host community for October’s Greater New Haven Italian-American Heritage Festival.
Kicking off the festivities is a dinner from 6-10 p.m. May 15 at West Haven’s Cielo Banquet Hall, 85 Chase Lane, where the city will recognize this year’s grand marshal, longtime resident Mark Consorte.
Mayor Dorinda Borer, who tapped Consorte, said: “Mark is a great representative of what the Italian culture stands for: kindness, charitable and family-oriented. As a longtime teacher, he’s mentored thousands of students with his knowledge and passion and additionally has volunteered toward organizations across our city.”
Also being recognized is West Haven Funeral Home owner Celia Pinzi, who will receive the Greater New Haven Italian American Heritage Committee’s Laura Luzzi service award.
“Celia has been there for so many of us, myself included, and I felt it was important to recognize a wonderful person who silently stays behind the scenes and doesn’t look for recognition but provides great comfort and support to our residents,” Borer said. “Celia always steps up and generously participates in our nonprofits, lifting up the community.”
In addition to West Haven, the host community rotates annually among New Haven, North Haven, Branford, East Haven and Hamden, the host of last year’s festival.
West Haven was the host for the event, which was a parade before transitioning to a festival, in 2017, 2011 and 2006.
According to organizers, the committee transitioned the parade to a festival to allow for wider participation.
The cost of the Kickoff Dinner is $50 and includes a buffet dinner, coffee and dessert, as well as a cash bar and raffles. A separate raffle will be held for two round-trip tickets on Avelo Airlines to anywhere Avelo flies out of Tweed-New Haven Airport.
To buy dinner tickets, call committee members Michael Luzzi at 203-671-9415 or Paul Frosolone at 203-887-6089.
The free Heritage Festival, in its second year, is scheduled from noon-4 p.m. Oct. 12 on the West Haven Green. The rain date is Oct. 13.
Festivities will include live music and family-friendly activities to celebrate the region’s deep-rooted Italian heritage. Details are forthcoming.
To participate in the festival as a sponsor or vendor, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510.