This weekend, bring on the food – and festivals
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s … Columbia’s Italian Festival.
This celebration of all that is good with Italian culture and cuisine is Saturday, Oct. 3 at Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion. Enjoy some of the area’s best Italian fare and get involved in the bocce tournament (similar to American game of horseshoes) and the grape-stomping contest. It is hosted by the Sons of Italy in America Bella Italia Lodge 2808-Columbia.
While festival admission is free, food, beverages and certain activites will be available through ticket purchase only. Some of the local restaurants participating include Antonina’s, with New York style pizza slices and baked ziti; Bella Italia Cafe, with meatball or sausage subs, pepperoni rolls and spumoni cheesecake; DeLucca’s Italian Grill, with goat cheese-stuffed Peppadews with fig balsamic glaze, and chicken or beef lasagna; Ray’s Pizzeria and Ice Cream Shoppe, with Margherita pizza and mini cannoli; Rita’s Italian Ice, with flavored ices; Paolo’s Gelato, with limoncello, strawberry, pistachio, tiramisu and Nutella gelatos and affogato (an espresso and gelato combination); Pino’s, with cheese pizza slices, gnocchi alla Sorrentina and arancini (rice balls); and Villa Tronco, with smoked pork cacciatore, amaretto bread pudding and cheesecake slices.
There also will be a market selling homemade goods made by Sons of Italy lodge members and Italian breads, desserts, fresh produce and imported goods. And don’t forget the peach Bellinis.
See more information at www.osiacolumbiasc.org.
Other food festivals this weekend include:
All about the Q! Jamil Shriners BBQ Cook-Off, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Jamil Temple, 206 Jamil Road. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for ages 6-14, free for children younger than 6. Proceeds benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children Transportation Fund. (803) 772-9380, jamilshriners.com
More barbecue! Mount Hebron United Methodist Church’s annual bake sale and barbecue begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. Carry-out orders of barbecue pork and chicken will be available in the early morning, and the buffet begins at 11 a.m. and lasts until it’s gone. Adult plates, $8.50; children’s, $5.50; pork, ribs, hash, rice, half chickens, slaw and sandwiches available a la carte. Proceeds will benefit church missions and a scholarship program. Mount Hebron UMC, 3050 Leaphart Road, West Columbia
Celebrate the goober at the Palmetto Peanut Boil: Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Publick House, 2800 Devine St. Teams compete for the Boiled Peanut Trophy and you can vote for the People’s Choice Award. (803) 649-5358, palmettopeanutboil.com
Newberry Oktoberfest, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, downtown Newberry. Features live music, beer garden, food court, Best German Costume Contest and liver nips. www.cityofnewberry.com
Susan Ardis, sardis@thestate.com, @foodsusan
This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 12:29 PM with the headline "This weekend, bring on the food – and festivals."