Newport’s legendary Italianfest begins tonight and runs through Sunday– and will include the inaugural Lauren Hill 5K Spaghetti Run.
Join the celebration of 25th Annual Newport Italianfest.
Enjoy live music all weekend at Festival Park on Riverboat Row between the Purple People and Taylor Southgate Bridges.
Listing of vendors starting at the Purple People Bridge:
(1) Bella Luna
(2) Gregorio’s
(3) Repicci’s Italian Ice
(4) Cucina Lucia
(5) Newport Pizza
(6) Souvenirs
(7) Trattoria Roma
(8) Pompilio’s
(9) Col. Pomp’s
(10) Buona Vita
(11) Pagano’s Grill
(12) Tony’s Italian Sausage
(13) Papa John’s
Thursday, June 9: 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
5:00 p.m. Pete Wagner Orchestra
8:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony
8:30 p.m. Honored Italian-American Sons and Daughters Award: Wayne Carlisle
8:45 p.m. Pete Wagner Orchestra
Friday, June 10: 5 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m. Pete Wagner Orchestra
6:15 p.m. Honored Italian-American
Ceremony: Larry Giancola
6:45 p.m. Ragdoll
8:00 p.m. Papa John’s Pizza Eating Contest
8:30 p.m. Moreno Fruzzetti
10:00 p.m. Diamanti
After Reds Game – Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks
Saturday, June 11: 10 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
10:00 a.m. Lauren Hill’s 5K Spaghetti Run
In late 2014 the nation was captivated by Laruen Hill, the 19-year-old Mt. St. Joseph University basketball player who bravely battled but ultimately was taken by a rare form of brain cancer.
To honor her memory and to raise money for cancer research and care, Newport’s Italianfest will hold the inaugural Lauren Hill’s 5K Spaghetti Run at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 11. Italianfest, one of the most popular summer festivals in Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati, is celebrating its 25th Anniversary June 9-12 at Festival Park, which is held at Riverboat Row on Newport’s riverfront.
The Spaghetti Run will benefit Hill’s The Cure Starts Now Foundation, which is dedicated to raising funding for pediatric brain cancer research and care.
“Italianfest is always a great time with tremendous food, drink, music, rides and more,” said Sal Wertheim, Special Events Coordinator for The City of Newport. “At the heart of the festival is Newport’s great Italian heritage. The Italians that came here, raised their families here and still live here and in the region are all about family and helping one another, particularly through the tough times.
“The City of Newport and the organizers of Italianfest felt the Lauren Hill 5K Spaghetti Run was not only a tremendous opportunity to raise money for cancer research but to also honor the courage, memory and legacy of Lauren Hill,” Wertheim said. “Help put a fork in cancer and register today.”
The 5K race will start and finish Riverboat Row & Columbia Street. Pre-registration is $40 and includes a T-shirt and $10 of Italianfest “Pasta Bucks”, which can be spent at Italianfest vendor booths. Registration is $50 after June 9.
12:30 p.m. Pete Wagner Orchestra
3:30 p.m. Moreno Fruzzetti
4:30 p.m. Ragdoll
6:00 p.m. Diamanti
7:15 p.m. Moreno Fruzzetti
8:15 p.m. Papa John’s Pizza Eating Contest
8:30 p.m. Ragdoll
10:00 p.m. Diamanti
11:00 p.m. Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks
From the City of Newport
