40 OCTOBER 2024 By Lauren Geiser The sights, sounds and flavors of Italy are coming to Scottsdale as the ninth annual Italian Festival transforms the Waterfront into a vibrant celebration of culture on October 19 and 20. The event hopes to transport attendees to the bustling city streets and beautiful countryside with food, entertainment and cultural activities. This festival is more than just a celebration – it’s a labor of love, according to the folks who put it together. “This event is organized by the Italian Association of Arizona, a nonprofit with a goal of creating an Italian Cultural Center here in the Valley,” Founder and Board Member Dario Soldan said. “Our mission is to share our culture with the community.” Of course, no Italian festival would be complete without food. Guests can expect dishes from local vendors such as Pomo Pizzeria, Mama Lucy, Aroma Culinary and Marcellino Ristorante. Festival goers will be able to savor wood-fired pizzas, homemade pasta, gelato, Italian pastries and more. Hand-made goods like leather bags, clothing and gourmet olive oils will be available for purchase, providing attendees a chance to bring a bit of Italy home. One of the highlights of this year’s festival is the theme: La Strada del Vino, a journey through Italy’s most well-known wine regions. Over 30 wines from seven regions of Italy will be available, and attendees will receive a wine glass and lanyard with their ticket, allowing them to explore the festival while sampling wines from each region. “We want to expose people to the diversity of Italian wines and give them a chance to try something they have never tried before,” Soldan said. The festival will also offer a lineup of live performances from Ripalta Bufo, a soprano flown in from Italy, who will headline the main stage. The Ziarella Folk Group, Santo and Alexa and others will perform traditional dances and songs. There will be cooking demonstrations, plus face painting, balloon artists, games and activities will help keep the little ones entertained. For anyone on the fence about attending, Soldan has some simple advice: “Be Italian for a day! Come eat, drink, enjoy the music, and experience the culture. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the weekend and immerse yourself in everything Italian.” And for Soldan, this festival isn’t just about the experience; it’s got a personal touch. He recently visited his family in Italy, soaking up the inspiration that will soon be present at the festival. “Being able to connect with other Italians here in Arizona is like having a little piece of home,” he said. “This festival is our way of bringing that to life for everyone.” italianassociation.org Andiamo! Let’s go to the Italian Festival! The ninth annual Italian Festival will boast authentic foods, musicians and entertainers. PHOTOS COURTESY OF DARIO SOLDAN The Phoenix Greek Festival takes place at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral (1973 E. Maryland Ave., Phoenix) on October 11-13. Celebrate Greek culture with authentic cuisine, dancing and live performances, a vendor village, culture and history tours and activities for the kids. Admission is $5 per person. phoenixgreekfestival.org The second annual Taco Fest will bring together over 40 of Arizona’s taco makers slinging all the deliciousness, along with agave spirit artisans and small businesses to create two days of food and fun. There will be tequila and mezcal tastings, live music and art, activities for kids and more. The festivities take place at Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale on October 19-20. Tickets are $15-$100. tacofestaz.com OTHER FOOD FESTIVALS HAPPENING IN OCTOBER:

41 OCTOBER 2024 Former Arizona Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and Anderson Kopp. PHOTO COURTESY OF BROPHY PREP By Mark Hays Four football players from the Arcadia area kicked off their seasons with gusto. Not only did they hit the fields with successful first games, but they did so as part of the Fiesta Bowl preseason all- Arizona football team. Arcadia High senior Gehrig Heil and Brophy seniors Anderson Kopp, Cree Thomas and Logan Powell were honored with the award at a banquet in August. The team, comprised of 50 of the best football and flag football players in the state, was selected by the Fiesta Bowl Sports Foundation in partnership with the AIA, and based on last year’s production on the field, off-season training, and projections for the 2024 season. The selection committee included coaches, media, AIA officials, USA Football and Fiesta Sports Foundation representatives who nominated players and determined the winners through several rounds of voting. The team is honorary – meaning it’s not intended to compete as an actual football team with actual games. In total, 29 boys on tackle football teams and 21 girls on flag football teams were at the celebration, which featured a keynote speech by 2024 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and former NFL star Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. Anderson, who has committed to playing football for the University of Kansas after he graduates, said it was an honor to be recognized along with the best players from the state – many of whom were classmates and teammates at some point in his career. He and Gehrig even played Arcadia Little League together in elementary school. “It was a huge honor to be part of a team with so many other great Arizona high school players,” he said. “My plan for the immediate future is to have an amazing senior season at Brophy with my teammates. Our team has worked extremely hard in the off-season, and we are focused on having a great year, but I am also excited to further my education and athletic career at KU.” Gehrig echoed the sentiment: “It was an honor to be included among the best players in the state,” he said. “Many of them will be dominant college players, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of them on NFL rosters one day.” Gehrig said he hasn’t decided where to attend college yet, but he most certainly plans on continuing his football journey. “I’m in the middle of the recruiting process and still weighing options about where I’ll play,” he said. “Wherever I go, I’d like to pursue an education in sports medicine. I’ve been an athlete all my life and I’d like to stay connected to sports by helping others.” fiestabowl.org Kicking off their senior year…with a fiesta My plan for the immediate future is to have an amazing senior season at Brophy with my teammates.