Memphis Italian Festival: A place to play bocce, eat pasta and greet family
People trod the muddy pathways at the Memphis Italian Festival on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Marquette Park in East Memphis. (Jonathan Mintz/Special to The Daily Memphian)
As they have since 1989 (except for the pandemic year of 2020), officials with Holy Rosary Catholic Church in East Memphis again staged the festival at Marquette Park. The event is centered around Italian cooking.
Thousands visited during the festival’s run from Thursday through 11 p.m. Saturday, May 30, despite some strong rains that left the grounds very muddy Saturday.
And while the festival is billed as a fundraiser for the sports programs at Holy Rosary, it’s really a massive family reunion in disguise. Everyone seems to know — or is related to — everyone else.
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Memphis Italian Festival italian cuisine East Memphis Marquette Park Subscriber OnlyThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
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Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
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