taste OF LOCAL EVENTS
Life, Liberty & The Prosciutto of Happiness BY ALLYSON JONES
In South Carolina, it is not only customary to celebrate the Old Country in the Lowcountry every fall, it is the LAW. Congress proclaimed October as Italian-American Heritage Month in 1989 to commemorate the contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants in the United States. In 2015, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley took it a step further and made the proclamation a state law, thanks to the urging of numerous Italian American Clubs across the Palmetto State, including the Italian American Club of Hilton Head (IACHH). On Saturday, October 17, this nonprofit organization once again hosts its Annual Italian Heritage Festival at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Upwards of 3,000 Italophiles are expected for this celebration of heritage and culture 16 years in the making with volunteers selling traditional Italian foods, local and regional restaurants serving their signature dishes, reenactors portraying the Roman Legion, live entertainment, a silent auction, kid’s area, contests and more. Eat and drink your way around “The Boot” while savoring homemade fried raviolis, pizza, pastas, cheeses, breads, fish, meatballs, sausage and peppers or calzones, then finish with some sweet treats, such as cannolis, zeppoles, Italian ice, gelato and biscotti. 24
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Sign all ages up for the competitive Pizza Eating or Grape Stomping Contests after bidding on golf outings, spa visits, cruises, restaurant certificates, gift baskets or fine art and crafts at the famed silent auction. Dance the day away to the sounds of the 24-piece Hilton Head Big Band performing hits from the 60s to the present or check out the living history of Legio XIIII Gemina Martia Victrix who recreate the equipment, routines and experiences of the Roman Legion who served in the Contriburniums (squads) from the First Century A.D. Meanwhile, the children’s area offers inflatables and kid-friendly entertainers, plus the Beaufort County Book Mobile. “My biggest thrill is sharing my Italian heritage and culture and seeing all those beautiful attendees – adults and children – having so much fun and enjoying the event,” declares longtime IACHH President John DeCecco (a.k.a. Johnny D). “Then, on their way out, telling us they can’t wait for next year.” This fall, the IACHH also hosts its annual Wines of the World on Wednesday, September 23 at Rollers Wine & Spirits on Palmetto Bay Road. Known as ZinFest for two decades, as the focus was primarily on Italian Zinfandels, the new event name and location now offers a chance to taste wines from around the globe in Rollers’ established wine bar, home to regularly scheduled tastings and special events.