In September of 2010, the Italian-American club of Hilton Head Island got together and produced the first annual Italian Heritage Festival of Hilton Head; a full day of enjoyment for the entire family. Just like the 80+ year old New York City tradition, the Italian Fest of Hilton Head celebrates Italian culture, food and entertainment, and features music, a pasta eating contest, grape stomping, and a kid’s corner. In addition to sampling food from some of Hilton Heads’ best local restaurants, guests are invited to learn recipes from the cooking stage and play bocce ball with some of Hilton Head’s Italian-American locals and much more!
The Italian Heritage Festival of Hilton Head is produced by Italian American Club, a non-profit organization, established with an aim to aid local charities and those in need in the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton area. This event is a fundraising , while honoring outstanding members of the community and raising funds for the Foundation.
The mission of The Italian Heritage Festival is to create an event honoring Italian culture while upholding the principles that were established by St. Gennaro, who worked tirelessly to help people in need. In addition to raising necessary funds, the group seeks to perpetuate cultural identity and solidarity within the Italian-American community and to propagate unity and cooperation among Italian Americans. All events put on by the Foundation are intended to embody the attributes of generosity and goodwill that define the Italian spirit.