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Italian Food Festival marks church’s heritage

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Four years ago, Robert Sbirssa saw the Italian community around Birmingham losing touch with its roots. It was then that he decided to create a festival that was about more than just the food.  

“We wanted to build an event for the parish which really would find a common thread with a lot of our parishioners,” said Sbrissa, the Feast organizer. “Even though they’re not all Italian, there’s still a good Italian background, and that is the common theme that binds everybody together.”

The festival was designed to resemble a traditional Italian feast. It recreates St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy, and all of the food is authentic Italian. The festival will feature fare from 12 Italian restaurants around Birmingham, such as Bellini’s and Amore. There will also be 6,000 homemade cookies as well as beer and wine imported from Italy. 

“We try to give people a feel and flavor for what real Italian culture is, as opposed to the typical stuff people see,” said Sbrissa. “We really focus a lot on authenticity and quality.”

The feast is a family event, and encourages community and culture. There are events for all ages, but Sbrissa wanted younger attendees to take away more than just food from the event. 

“It gives a younger generation a glimpse into what their families were really about, and understand and appreciate that,” said Sbrissa. 

Many of the activities are traditional Italian games. This year, there will be 16 different events for children ranging from age 2 to teens, including face painting, amusement rides and a grape stomp. The feast will also feature a cigar patio, a Dean Martin tribute show, bocce ball games and Italian dancers, all of which will appeal to adults.

“It’s really been about creating that event that’s multi-generational and emphasizes the values of family, faith and fun,” said Sbrissa. “When we incorporate all of those elements together, it really changes the event and makes it one that everybody wants to go to and spend time [at] together. Food is only a small part of what we do.”

The Feast of Saint Mark has grown over its four-year life span. The first year they welcomed 1,500 people, three times their original estimate, and the next two years they were up to about 3,000 people.

The feast will be held on April 25 from 3-11 p.m. For the first time since its inception, the feast will coincide with the traditional Feast of Saint Mark, held on April 25 every year. The money raised from the feast goes towards the church and the charities it works with.

Feast of Saint Mark

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