Good gravy! Memphis Italian Festival hits 30-year milestone
Joseph Lobante, 8, makes a throw while Thomas Kovacs, 8, looks on as the friends play bocce ball during the 30th annual Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park on May 30, 2019, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/Special To The Daily Memphian)
"Oliveus" members Scott Brown (left) and Steve Landwehr work on their team's Italian gravy sauce for competition during the 30th annual Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park on May 30, 2019, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/Special To The Daily Memphian)
Jasper Burch, 7, takes a spin on the "Ballistic" ride during the 30th annual Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park on May 30, 2019, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/Special To The Daily Memphian)
"Pastafarians" members Emily Marshall (left) and Jami Jackson show off their portable bathroom competition entry, a 1989 time travel-themed toilet inspired by the film "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." (Brandon Dill/Special To The Daily Memphian)
A muffaletta sandwich made by team "Oliveus" is just one of the many foods festival-goers could dig into during the 30th annual Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park on May 30, 2019, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/Special To The Daily Memphian)
David Jackson (left) talks with "Thursday Night Italians" member Mary Wilder at her team's booth during the 30th annual Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park on May 30, 2019, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/Special To The Daily Memphian)
"Oliveus" members Ainsley Johnston, 13 (from left), Linley Fristick, 12, and Carl Fristick make muffaletta sandwiches during the 30th annual Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park on May 30, 2019, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/Special To The Daily Memphian)
Attendees walk past a Catholic statue during the 30th annual Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park on May 30, 2019, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/Special To The Daily Memphian)
Charlie Ogg, 8 (from left); Ben Kovacs, 5; Joseph Lobonte, 8; and Thomas Kovacs, 8, play bocce ball during the 30th annual Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park on May 30, 2019, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/Special To The Daily Memphian)
"Thursday Night Italians" team member Mary Wilder works on the spaghetti gravy her group will enter into competition during the 30th annual Memphis Italian Festival at Marquette Park on May 30, 2019, in Memphis. (Brandon Dill/Special To The Daily Memphian)
The Memphis Italian Festival, now in its 30th year, attracts some 30,000 folks who turn out for food, music, games, cooking demos and fancy powder rooms. The event at Marquette Park in East Memphis comes to a close Saturday night.
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