Seattle Center Festál: Festa Italiana Set for 9/29-30

The Italian Festival explores Italian cultural roots and contemporary influences through live performances, cultural displays, visual arts, hands-on activities, food, children's activities, and a lively marketplace. The two-day celebration takes place today, Sept. 29 - 30, Saturday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., in Seattle Center Armory/Center House, Fisher Pavilion, Fisher Green and Seattle Center Pavilion.

The Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year with an Italian Dog Show, Grape Stomp, Pizza Tossing for kids, historical photo exhibit, Classic Italian Vehicle Display, cooking demonorations, and a 32-team Bocce Tournament. There are also three Wine & Beer Gardens.

Every hour throughout the weekend, the "Great Italian Chefs" Cooking Stage sponsored by Isernio's Sausage and Ostrom's Mushrooms features a different chef from a local Italian Restaurant. At 2 p.m. each day, "Cooking with Nonna" star Rossella Rago leads a cooking demo; and at 3 p.m., famous PBS food personality Nick Stellino appears to share some Italian recipes from his show "Nick Stellino Cooking with Friends."

The 20 Seattle Center Festál cultural celebrations highlight The Common forms of tradition and expression among ethnic communities in the Pacific Northwest, while underscoring their unique creative contributions, customs, foods and ideals. Each event offers moving entertainment and fascinating insight into a different culture of the world.

The Italian Festival is part of The Next Fifty at Seattle Center in 2012. The Festival is produced by Festa Italiana in partnership with Seattle Center. For a full event schedule, visit www.festaseattle.com, and for more information on this cultural series and other Seattle Center public programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com.