By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—Faith, food, fun and family—those are the principles behind the annual Feast of St. Mark Italian Food Festival. The festival will return to St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church for a fifth year on Saturday, April 30.

Reminiscent of an Italian wedding, the Feast of St. Mark Italian Food Festival unites authentic Italian good and desserts, live entertainment, culture and games in an event fit for the whole family.

“We wanted to create a feast around our patron saint (St. Mark the Evangelist),” said Monica Sbrissa, who founded the feast in 2012 with her husband, Robert. “It’s not about the food, the reason we do it is to create a family event, to bring the different generations together.”

Adults and children of all ages will find something to enjoy at the festival. A designated children’s area will have rides, games, face painting and a bocce court. Step in to the cultural tent to indulge in gelato, espresso, limoncello and 6,000 traditional Italian cookies.

Live entertainment will take to the festival stage from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Performances include opera sung by 2008 Miss Alabama Amanda Tapley, the Razz Ma Tazz band, Dance South Italian dancers, a Frankie Valli tribute, Fabian Sanchez and Ann Scalici Rich dancers and Total A$$et$ band.

And don’t forget the food. Guests can fill their plates with a variety of “traditional, rustic-style Italian food,” event food coordinator Melissa Mancini said. With handmade pasta, meatballs, grilled sausage and peppers, tiramisu and more, there is something for everyone.

“It’s all great, you can’t go wrong with anything,” Mancini said.

Making the Feast of St. Mark Italian Food Festival a success is no easy feat, but after several years, Sbrissa said volunteers have the process down pat.

“We work a process where we have a playbook,” Sbrissa said. “Now the process is in places…it all works out.”

The planning process starts in September with a core group of 12 volunteers, and around 250 volunteers help make the event run smoothly on festival day.

Although it takes work, the festival is rewarding, Sbrissa said.

“My favorite (part) is being in the Piazza and watching it all unfold,” Sbrissa said. “Being in the cultural tent, watching the entertainment and watching families be together.”

The festival will open at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7340 Cahaba Valley Road.

The Feast of St. Mark Italian Food Festival is largely sponsored by Benchmark Automotive Group, Papa John’s and Sain Engineering Associates, Inc.

Tickets cost $20 before March 15, and $25 after. Each ticket offers full access to the festival’s food, entertainment and more. Admission is free for children 5 and under.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Feastofstmark.com.