Inaugural Italian Heritage Celebration coming to Wilmington Saturday

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Italian food, live music and cultural demonstrations will be part of a new celebration coming to Wilmington this weekend.

Cape Fear Lodge 3022 of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America will host its inaugural Italian Heritage Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 2 to 6 p.m.

The event will be held at the Beacon Education Center, also known as Glow Academy, at 4100 Sunglow Drive.

Organizers expect approximately 150 people to attend the celebration, which is open to the public.

The afternoon will feature live music by Anthony Bucciero, an Italian buffet, a fresh mozzarella-making demonstration and a tiramisu demonstration. Raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing are also planned.

“This inaugural celebration is about more than sharing great Italian food,” event coordinator Rochelle Merino said. “It is an opportunity to honor the people and traditions that shaped our families, introduce those traditions to others and begin building an event we hope the Wilmington community will look forward to each year.”

Doors open at 2 p.m., with welcome remarks scheduled for 2:15 p.m. Bucciero will perform from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., followed by the Italian buffet at 3:35 p.m.

The mozzarella-making demonstration is scheduled from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m., followed by the tiramisu demonstration from 5 to 5:25 p.m. Raffle drawings and closing remarks will wrap up the event.

Advance tickets for nonmembers are $25 per person.

Proceeds will support operations of the newly established Cape Fear Lodge 3022 and the development of future scholarship activities.