Ravioli on the Range
Every spring, a quiet corner of Cheviot erupts into a celebration that fuses old-world charm with Midwestern warmth: CincItalia, Cincinnati’s premier Italian festival. Hosted by St. Catharine of Siena Parish and School, this three-day cultural extravaganza held at Harvest Home Park is more than just a weekend escape — it’s a full-bodied immersion into Italian heritage, food, music, and community spirit.
A Taste of Italy, Bite by Bite
You don’t just attend CincItalia — you eat your way through it. With over 50 authentic Italian food items served across 12 booths, the festival might as well issue passports at the gate.
Where else in Greater Cincinnati can you sample fried ravioli, eggplant rollatini, arancini, and a meatball sub all in one stroll? The booths are run by local institutions with deep roots: from Corbo’s Bakery slinging cassata cake to LaRosa’s dishing out classic pizza slices, it’s a culinary tour of Italy without ever leaving the 45211 ZIP code.
Dessert? Cannoli from the Fuscaldese Society. Gelato from Repicci’s. Limoncello cake, deep-fried Oreos, and — yes — even funnel cake for the Americana twist. Wash it all down with a carefully curated wine selection or the locally brewed CincItalia Pils, courtesy of West Side Brewing.
This isn’t just festival fare — it’s a love letter to the recipes, ingredients, and kitchen memories passed down through generations.
A Soundtrack for the Soul
CincItalia doesn’t skimp on entertainment, either. Each day brings a new rhythm:
Friday night’s adults-only kickoff belongs to DV8, Cincinnati’s beloved rock cover band. Think electric guitars, cold beer, and the kind of crowd energy that makes you forget it's a parish fundraiser.
Saturday rolls in with the Pete Wagner Band adding swing and soul in the afternoon, before Ray Massa’s EuroRhythms electrify the evening with a high-energy mix of traditional Italian folk and modern beats.
On Sunday, Ray Massa returns, this time joined by the CincItalia Dancers, whose swirling skirts and lively steps turn the festival lawn into a southern Italian piazza.
Add in cooking demonstrations, a mustache contest straight out of an old Neapolitan postcard, and a drone light show replacing fireworks with synchronized LEDs in the colors of the Italian flag, and you’ve got more than a party — you’ve got a cultural experience.
Fundraising, but Make It Fun
Beyond the food and music lies a deeper purpose: supporting St. Catharine of Siena School. The festival is the parish’s largest annual fundraiser, and proceeds directly benefit educational programs, technology updates, and enrichment activities for K-8 students.
A major driver of this fundraising is the beloved Big Italian Raffle. Limited to just 550 tickets, it offers a $10,000 grand prize, with some of the best odds you’ll find outside of Vegas. But even those who don’t win walk away with the satisfaction of contributing to a community cause — and a belly full of handmade lasagna.
Tradition, Flavor, and Neighborhood Pride
CincItalia isn’t trying to be a commercialized mega-festival. It’s a local affair with global roots — a place where your neighbor’s Nonna might be running the pasta booth, where your kids can ride carnival rides while learning a folk dance, and where tradition feels alive, not outdated.
It’s the kind of event that turns strangers into famiglia — over food, laughter, and a few spilled drops of Chianti.
So mark your calendar: May 30 to June 1, 2025. Come hungry, come ready to dance, and come ready to fall in love with a little piece of Italy — right here in Cheviot.
More details, schedule, and raffle tickets at cincitalia.org.