By KATIE MCDOWELL/Lifestyles Editor

Shelby County residents can sample Italian cuisine and delicacies at the second annual Feast of Saint Mark Italian Food Festival on April 27.

Hosted by Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, the event will include Italian cuisine, live music, children’s activities and a bonfire. The event also includes a dance floor and strolling accordion players.

Monica Sbrissa said she and her husband founded the event after realizing the Birmingham area did not have an Italian food festival.

“We thought about it for two years before my husband finally convinced me to jump in with him,” she said. “We wanted to give back to the Birmingham community something Italian.”

Sbrissa said about 200 people volunteer for the event with a core group of 20 serving as the organizers. About 1,300 people attended the sold-out event last year, and organizers are hoping to have 3,000 this year.

The festival will be held April 27 from 4-11 p.m. at Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7340 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children. Visit Feastofsaintmark.com for more information or to purchase a ticket.

 

 Food Vendors

8-10 p.m. Total A$$et$

10 p.m. Bonfire finale