If Italian Festivals are what you love .....then you've come to the right place!  The Italian people, known for their love of family, food and friends are the foundation and spirit of this festival.  Please join us in celebrating the 31^st annual Schuyler County Italian American Festival on July 30, 31, and August 1, 2010.  As always, the festival will be held at Clute Park, Rt. 414 in Watkins Glen on the southern shore of beautiful Seneca Lake.

Our goal is to offer something for everyone with an emphasis on a ‘family friendly’ experience. For the past two years, in order to assure a safe, enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere, outside alcohol has been prohibited on the festival grounds. Our staff provides a large, comfortable and inviting “beer & wine garden” where alcoholic beverages can be purchased and consumed. The beer garden includes a tent with seating and the entertainment area is very close by and easily viewed from within. The response to the prohibition of alcohol on the grounds has been overwhelmingly favorable and problems experienced in the past have been non-existent. The policy will remain in effect for 2010 as we continue to focus on family fun. 

Each day the 2010 event will include about 40 crafters and 20 food concessions; amusement rides and concessions by Main Event Amusements out of Solvay, NY; casino games; bingo; and legal beverages.  Daily highlights on Friday will include a pasta eating contest which is open to the public, a Tae Kwan Do exhibition, and Buford and the Smokin’ Section will perform at the sound stage in the evening.  On Saturday the bocce tournament begins at 10 a.m., the biggest parade in the region starts at noon, a Roman Catholic Mass will be held in the pavilion, a dance group will perform, Shylock Foxx will rock the sound stage, and the best fireworks display in the area will take place at 10:15 in the evening.  Sunday will feature amazing skateboard and roller blade stunts at the on-site skate park, a motorcycle show with prizes awarded for several categories, and live entertainment by the Schuyler Scoundrels at the sound stage.  Other special events will be added to the agenda as planning continues.

Except for the amusements, all of the entertainment is free.  There is no admission fee to the festival and parking on Clute Park grounds is only $5 per vehicle, with no time limit, so you can park all day and enjoy all the festival has to offer.  There are plenty of handicapped parking spaces available and a new traffic pattern for parking, designed to help with the flow of traffic, will be in effect this year.

For specific event time schedules and more details, click on the “Festival Events” tab, and visit this site often for up to date additions and other important information.