Nestled on the picture perfect Atlantic Coast of Florida, Port St. Lucie is a great destination to relax and get away from it all. The friendly and welcoming residents embody a relaxed and laid-back attitude that will set the tone for an unforgettable vacation experience. With miles of pristine white sand beaches and seemingly endless stretches of aquamarine waters, the area is perfect for sunbathing, beach games, fishing, sailing, diving, snorkeling and so much more. Port St. Lucie is also home to over 10,000 acres of clean and well maintained parks and preserves that are just begging to be explored. As you’d expect, the city is also home to a number of world class golf resorts that are a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. The culture in Port St. Lucie is vibrant and artistic. You’ll find year round live entertainment, art shows, exhibits, museums and a series of great festivals and community gatherings. One of the most unique and enjoyable events is the annual Taste of Little Italy.
For nearly a decade Taste of Little Italy has been supporting and introducing Italian Heritage to Port St. Lucie and the entire region. For the event, they transform Tradition Square into a authentic Italian street festival complete with vendors selling everything from trinkets to fine art. What would an Italian festival be without the food? At Taste of Little Italy you’ll find all the Italian food classics such as: sausage and peppers, fresh mozzarella, pizza, spaghetti and the festival favorite, pinwheels. There are plenty of games, activities and entertainment at the event. From the live music to the festival rides, there is something here for all ages and backgrounds. It's not just about celebrating at Taste of Little Italy, it’s also about helping the community. They have partnered up with a great local charity named Little Smiles, which gives positive and fun experiences to children in hospitals, shelters and hospices. Come for the fun and help support a great cause and while improving the community at Taste of Little Italy. ResortsandLodges.com interviewed Jerry Somma, the President of The Taste of Little Italy, to talk about the event.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
JS: This will be the ninth year that we are celebrating the Taste of Little Italy. The taste brings together the community for non-stop live entertainment, authentic Italian food, wine tastings, The Port St. Lucie Mets’ Childrens Area, festival rides, games and bocce. The Taste of Little Italy has a dedicated local following and it has been gaining popularity each year. We attract groups of friends, families, couples and singles to the event, but all are encouraged to come down and enjoy our great event.
RAL: What makes the event unique?
JS: We have entertainment and festivities that run all day long and don't stop until the gates close. This is not only a fun event for all ages, but is a cultural journey filled with authentic and delicious Italian food, great live music, plenty of vibrant art, and steeped in tradition. You definitely don't need to be Italian to enjoy all that we have to offer at the Taste of Little Italy.
RAL: What can attendees during a typical day at the event?
JS: Tradition Square will be transformed into an Italian street festival with vendors featuring: Italian novelties, jewelry, art, clothing, authentic Italian desserts and classic Italian favoriteslike: sausage and peppers, fresh Mozzarella calamari, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and one the Taste's Favorite Items, The PinWheel.
RAL: What can visitors expect to find for local lodging?
JS: Regardless of the size of your group or your budget, Port St. Lucie has a plethora of different hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and more. Our favorite lodging establishment is the ever popular Homewood Suites by Hilton Port St. Lucie-Tradition.
RAL: What does this even mean to the community?
JS: The event means a lot to our community. It's a wonderful place to meet new people and enjoy the Italian culture that we love so much. The added foot traffic also helps nearby businesses with extra sales throughout the duration of the event.
We also strive to help the community through donation. We have partnered up with Little Smiles, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization that provides toys, electronics, Meet & Greets, VIP outings, tickets and much more for children that are in local hospitals, shelters, and hospices. Our hearts go out to these brave children and we take pride in joining with Little Smiles to help kids escape the reality of their unfortunate situations, even for just a little bit.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
JS: We are a fun and entertaining location for the entire family to enjoy. It's a great place to get introduced to and/or to celebrate Italian culture. There aren't many other locations where you’ll be immersed in the traditional Italian way of life, like at the Taste of Little Italy.
For more information about Taste of Little Italy, please visit their website.