A Visual Diary

Columbia’s 4th Annual Italian Festival and Bocce Tournament held by the Sons of Italy Bella Italia Lodge 2808 took place Saturday Oct. 22 on Main Street.

This living statue was one of many street performers scattered up and down Main Street Saturday at the Italian Festival.

Grookett Photography set up a full size gondola and had a gondolier on site for family photos Saturday.

Ray Massa’s EuroRythms was one of the main attractions at this year’s festival. The Cincinnati group is often referred to as the best Italian-American band in the US and played a variety of traditional Italian songs nad swing music Saturday.

A group dressed as Roman soldiers performed at the opening ceremony of the 4th annual Italian Festival and Bocce Tournament and kicked off the event.

Columbia’s 4th Annual Italian Festival and Bocce Tournament featured all types of dancing from the classic ballet pictured to folk dances like the tarantella and an evening street dance.

Tyler Haltiwanger was one of the many street musicians/performers that set up on Main Street at Columbia’s 4th Annual Italian Festival and Bocce Tournament.

Local artists sold their crafts and baked goods at the Italian Festival Saturday October 22.

Davis Mitchell gets a Pikachue painted on his arm while attending the Italian Festival with his family. While the festival was rich in old Italian culture, many aspects were Americanized like vendors selling Rita’s Italian Ice and face painting booths.