Cugini di Roc Will Host Fourth Italian Heritage Day At the Public Market

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Rochester, NY - Cugini di Roc, in partnership with the City of Rochester Public Market, will host its fourth annual Italian Heritage Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4 at the Market, 280 North Union St. Admission is free.

“Italians brought their faith, their love of family and life, and their passion for food, justice, and the arts with them when they immigrated to America. They also brought their skills that helped build bridges, railroads, homes, buildings, and contributed their relational sense of community to our city,” said Kathy Castania of Cugini di Roc. “We welcome everyone to join us in recognizing the many contributions of Italian Americans and help us continue their legacy by celebrating the heritage as they did—by gathering and enjoying good food and family-focused fun.”

At this family-friendly event, attendees will enjoy classic Italian food offerings, live entertainment, an introduction to the Italian language hosted by RIT and Nazareth students, and the chance to contribute oral histories and stories to the City and County archivist.

Education booths focusing on Italian culture and heritage will display and discuss Italian origin and migration, winemaking, gesturing, Rochester’s Sister City, and genealogy. A children’s area will offer Italian storytelling, face painting, chalk drawing, arts and crafts, grape stomping, games, and prizes.

New to the event this year is a Speaker Series in the Best Coffee at the Market Cafe that will discuss topics related to Italian American history, culture, and values, as well as dual citizenship and migration stories.

Sponsors of the Italian Heritage Day event and initiatives include City of Rochester Public Market, MK Gandhi Institute for Non-Violence, Hon. John C. Ninfo, Judith Ranaletta, the Valenti Family in honor of Alphonse and Rose Valenti, Family of Gloria Bucella Miller, Farina Family in honor of Katie Attaldo Farina, RIT Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, Nazareth University’s Frank DiMino Casa Italiana, RIT NTID ASL and Education Services, Wegmans; Indigenous Peoples Day Committee, Your Business and Leisure Connection, Ruby Meetings and Events, Italian Woman’s Civic Club, SEAC (Southeast Area Coalition), Metro Justice, Mae Beads, Canandaigua Insurance Agency, Spatola’s Party Rental, City Blue, Sons of Padre Pio, Harmony Designs and members of Cugini Di Roc.

Cugini di Roc is a broad-based non-profit organization that plans and hosts Italian Heritage Day and develops and presents an array of Italian heritage programs in the Greater Rochester community. Founded in 2019, Cugini di Roc is a grassroots, multi-generational group with a passion for their Italian heritage. Members of this group are each part of a broad network of racial and social justice groups. For more information, visit www.rocitalians.org.

For more information on the City of Rochester Public Market and its schedule of special events, go to www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket.