Council Member Vickie Paladino’s third annual Italian Heritage Street Festival brought together numerous community members in Whitestone Village on Oct. 18.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
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New York City Council Member Vickie Paladino hosted the third annual Italian Heritage Street Festival on Sunday, Oct. 18, in the Whitestone Village, along 14th Avenue, between 150th Street and Clintonville Street.
DJ Louie Mangione of Music and Passion Entertainment provided Italian-American music alongside MC Frankie Hudak for attendees to enjoy. Singer Teo “The Romantic Tenor” also provided a live performance of several Italian songs.
Frankie Hudak helped entertain attendees. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Keeping in theme with the Fall and Halloween seasons, a pumpkin patch was available, with kids receiving a free pumpkin.
The Italian Heritage Festival featured a pumpkin patch. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Free T-shirts and Italian flags were given away to attendees, while supplies lasted. There were also raffles for various prizes.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
“It’s our third annual Italian Heritage Festival, and it’s bigger and better than it’s ever been,” Paladino said. “Give yourselves a round of
applause, because it’s all about District 19 and making us feel like a small town again.”
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
Food vendors had several different classic Italian foods available at the event, including zeppole, pastries, Italian specialties, sausage and pepper, pizza and more.
Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
In addition to Paladino, other local elected leaders on hand for the Italian Heritage included State Sen. John Liu and Rep. Tom Suozzi.
New York City Council Member Vickie Paladino and New York State Sen. John Liu. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
New York State Rep. Tom Suozzi. Photo by Ramy Mahmoud
“We have a vibrant community. It’s a very important commercial strip that we have here in Queens, and the Italian community is a proud community. Queens wouldn’t be what it is without the Italian community,” Liu said. “We love the diversity here in Queens and across New York. This is an event that Council Member Vickie Paladino puts on. People from far and wide come.”