Thousands expected to attend
patriotic 'Festa Americana' in Naples
By Keith Boydston,
Naples bureau
Keith Boydston / Stars and Stripes
Carnival workers set up an amusement ride Wednesday in preparation for Festa Americana
2001 in Naples, Italy. |
NAPLES, Italy — More than 40,000 people are expected to visit Carney Park in
Naples this weekend for Festa Americana 2001, an annual celebration of America’s
Independence Day.
"It’s a big event to honor America’s birthday," said Julie Julian,
the public affairs officer for the Navy base morale, welfare and recreation department,
the Festa sponsor.
The festival kicks off at noon Friday and runs through Sunday.
"We’ve added some big name entertainers to our entertainment lineup,"
Julian said. "We’ve also extended the Festa’s hours and opened the gates up
to everyone for all three days."
Julian said the layout of the festival and its attractions would be spread throughout
the park allowing festival-goers more room to roam.
An International Food Court will operate all weekend with 24 vendors cooking and
grilling everything from the traditional Fourth of July picnic fare like hamburgers, ho
dogs and barbecued ribs, to oriental cuisine, Jamaican food and Mexican delicacies.
The Festa will also feature carnival rides, crafts and a large Flea Market. Organizers
said that U.S. dollars and Italian lira would be accepted at all locations throughout the
festival.
Sporting events scheduled throughout the weekend include a softball and volleyball
tournament, and a Calcetto tournament — a half-field soccer game with five players on
each team.
Another addition to the festival is a dog show on Sunday morning.
Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, kids can have their faces painted or compete
in events like a watermelon seed-spitting contest or relay races.
There will be live nightly entertainment from a variety of bands, dance groups and
martial arts experts. Kiss-Kiss radio, a local Italian station, will close the festival
each night with upbeat dance music and live broadcasts to the local community.
A fireworks display is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Festa Americana is the biggest fundraiser for the Naples MWR department, though last
year the festival coffers came up short.
"We lost around $12,000 last year," said Thomas Wilson, the Naples MWR
marketing director. "Only about 11,500 people attended. Our goal this year is to
increase the number of people coming to the festival."
For the first time MWR advertised in the Italian community — using radio and
running ads in local newspapers. Wilson said the success of the festival not only benefits
MWR, but local command groups as well.
"Yes, we’re celebrating ‘July Fourth,’" Wilson said, "But
the Festa offers a great opportunity for commands and other groups to come together and
earn a little extra money for their groups."
A free shuttle bus service to the festival will be provided for U.S. ID cardholders,
their families and "house guests" only. Buses will run from Capodichino, Agnano,
Pinetamare, Lago Patria and the Gricignano Support Site.
Festa Americana 2001, at Carney Park, Naples, Italy, from
Friday through Sunday. Gates open at noon each day and the event continues until 2 a.m.
the following morning. (Note: Entry gates into the park close at midnight each day.) Entry
to the festival is free for all U.S. military I.D. cardholders. For non-U.S. military I.D.
cardholders, a fee of 5,000 Italian lira (about $2.50) will be charged at the gate. For
the complete festival bus schedule and more information, log on to: www.nsa.naples.navy.mil/MWR/mwrmenu.htm.
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