CIAO !! Hello in Italian, right?
On Saturday August 10, 2024 I went to Chicago again to see what I could see.There was the Chicago Air & Water Show going on. That event is most likely the most popular free “Happening” in Chicago each year. (+/- 100,000 plus people)
Surprise, surprise but I chose not to do that, even though I probably could have found an area outside the crowds with a good vantage point.
I chose to go to Chicago’s Little Italy for the Taylor Street Little Italy Festa.
Side note, my paternal grandparents were from Fonte Alto, Veneto in Northern Italy. I have been fortunate to have visited their hometown, walked through my Nonna’s (we called her Nonni:) family house, viewed their birth and marriage records at the Church as well as meeting relatives. I wonder how I would have “blogged” about those trips, but that was before MyShadow :)
Window at Nonni’s Family home in Fonte AltoMuch like my visit to Chicago’s Chinatown, I was a little disappointed but honestly not surprised with Little Italy. There were a lot of green, white and red flags, the mandatory bocce ball court, a little piazza and restaurants, along with the booths and stages set up for the Festa (Festival).
I feel uncomfortable writing and seeing my own words, (not trying to be negative) in reality, Little Italy today is what it is, a name for a neighborhood in the Near West Side community area (one of 77+/-) in the City of Chicago, IL. Wikipedia explains it better HERE :)
Yes, it would be cool (maybe?) to see it in its “hey day”, many Italian families? some Italian being spoken? small markets for food and other essentials? quaint little restaurants with good/inexpensive food? etc. but, not that day. I plan on visiting again after doing more research for other interesting features that I didn’t see that day.
CLICK HERE for Wikipedia’s version of Little Italy.
I did see/hear an Italian singer (Antonío Bevaqua) from Calabria in Southern Italy, Click Here for a short Video, go ahead and sing along if you like/can :) Again, it was early, so the empty seats were probably full as the day progressed, the Air and Water Show ended and sunset approached with entertainers rotating between the 4 stages.
I saw a good amount of people/families, some obviously celebrating their heritage and others just enjoying the vibe of another neighborhood festival, I even had an Italian Sausage sandwich but didn’t wait in line for Italian Lemonade (I think it has basil in it :)
The walk to and from Union Station was interesting as well and the frequent passing of jets overhead were reminders of the Air Show just miles away.
I created THIS VIDEO from my photos during that day’s adventure to Little Italy :)
Now, for something completely different. Where were you on March 29, 2024. My photos help me to remember that I was in Naperville (Aurora’s younger, prettier, richer, “sister” city) for an appointment and after that I walked through Naper Settlement. This is a link to their website. Basically it is an “outdoor museum” of what life was like “back then”.
Back to the present :) August 10, the unexpected Public Art was pretty cool!!
I hope everyone is enjoying their Summer doing what you do, (I bet Fall comes next:).
If you like, listen to this “Curtain Call” from Antonío !!
Any idea where these photos were taken?
Really enjoyed seeing Little Italy and your comments brought back fond memories of the trip to Italy for the "family reunion". Naper settlement was also interesting. Patty
ReplyDeleteThanks again Patty.
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