Members of the Italian-American Civic Association shared their family traditions with the community for the 24th year in a row at the Bravo Italiano Festival Saturday.
The event, held at the Watertown Municipal Arena, usually attracts about 1,500 people and raises $30,000 to $35,000 to be donated to charities, according to association President Edward M. Mentry.
Festival Chairman Frank A. Melara said the fundraiser has become a tradition both for the volunteers who participate and the families who attend each year.
Frank A. Gorri, a longtime member of the association, has brought his father's famous Italian sausage to every festival since its inception. Mr. Gorri's late father, Dominic, owned Gorri's Market and was renowned for his skill in the art of Italian sausage making, which he learned from his father.
Now, sausage making is a hobby for Mr. Gorri and fellow member Joseph A. Fiorentino.
"Their fathers made sausage 40 years ago. Now they're carrying on the tradition and making sausage just like their parents did," Mr. Melara said.
Mr. Gorri and Mr. Fiorentino spent two days preparing the sausages from scratch, with only fresh, quality ingredients. Even the fennel seeds were extracted by hand from the vegetable.
"The last couple of years we've tried to get back to the old way of making it," Mr. Fiorentino said. "A lot of love goes into it."
Ida J. Alteri, co-owner of Alteri's Bakery and president of the association's Ladies Auxiliary, baked the cookies that have been served at her family functions for generations. About 30 members of the auxiliary baked their traditional recipes in their own kitchens and brought them to the event.
"I make these all the time for my family and I feel comfortable doing it," Mrs. Alteri said about her Neapolitan and chocolate cookies. "I always make them the same way. Why change it if you have good luck with it?"
The food brought back memories for Wendy Kneram, a Pennsylvania native who lives on Fort Drum.
"It makes me feel like I'm at home," she said as she twirled the event's staple dish, linguine with homemade tomato sauce, around her fork. "There's a great sense of tradition. Being so far from home, this is like a diamond in the rough — I get to share the experience with my children."
Many others also came from Fort Drum to experience the authentic Italian cooking. Melissa Remsburg, a Pennsylvania native who recently moved onto post, looked forward to tasting cannolis from Alteri's Bakery. Heather Zambrana, whose husband is stationed at Fort Drum, tried the pizza and fried dough.
Since this year's festival was dedicated to members of the 10th Mountain Division and their families, anyone with a military ID received free admission and a discounted price on dinner. The inexpensive event provided a chance for soldiers and their families to leave base and interact with the community.
"When there's stuff to do in the community, it's nice to come out and get away from base," Ms. Remsburg said.
Jason A. Hall, a soldier with the 277th Aviation Support Battalion of the 10th Aviation Brigade, brought his daughter Rebekah to the festival. She decorated a sand bucket to be used for trick-or-treating at a booth hosted by Michael's Stores Inc.
Richard J. Sutton, manager of the Arsenal Street Michael's, said this was the first craft event held outside the store and he hopes to expand the community effort.
"I think this is a real big hit," he said.
Jason the Entertainer wowed children with card tricks, juggling and balloon animals and serenaded those dining with Italian tunes played on a violin.
Jane A. Gates, Carthage, noticed that there were more food vendors and entertainment than when she last attended several years ago.
"I think it's improved," she said.
Despite the rising cost of food, Mr. Melara, the event organizer, said the association managed to provide more variety this year while keeping prices more or less the same. A specialty dinner of Italian-style chicken, potatoes and beans made its debut on the menu in place of the usual stuffed shells.
"Sometimes money is not as important as keeping people coming here and having a good time," Mr. Melara said.
On Friday, the festival kicked off with the Miss Italia 2008 pageant. Kristin M. Puccia, who had never participated in a pageant before, won the title and a $1,000 scholarship.
Comedian, impressionist and vocalist Tony Battoni performed after a Mass celebrated by the Rev. Donald A. Robinson. Throughout the day, Italian band Franco Gallelli and Friends played three sets and a raffle was held to benefit Jefferson County Young Marines, a nonprofit organization that teaches children discipline and military history.