Annual Summer Festa Picnic coming to Hickory Grove Park

By Mae Gilliland Wright

Published July 30, 2026 at 2:14 PM CDT

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The image features a photo of this episode’s guest Rhonda Ossola Parker of the Italian American Society. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “A TASTE OF ITALY” with an underlying smaller text that reads “Rhonda Ossola Parker of the Italian American Society.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Rhonda Ossola Parker of the Italian American Society about the annual Summer Festa Picnic returning Aug. 9 to Hickory Grove Park.

Now in its 95th year, the Summer Festa celebrates Italian American heritage with authentic food, live music, artisan vendors, family activities, a bocce tournament and much more. Originally founded in 1929 as a mutual aid society for Italian immigrants, the Italian American Society continues to honor its roots while raising scholarship funds through this signature event.

This year's Festa will also recognize the 100th anniversary of Agatucci's Restaurant with a special exhibit highlighting the family's history, trivia and community recognition. Guests can also enjoy traditional recipes prepared for the festival, Italian beer and wine spritzers, spaghetti-eating contests and live performances of classic Italian-American favorites.

Parker says the event is about much more than heritage.

“We're all the same. We're just proud of where we come from. We're proud of who we are. We're proud of our food. And we just love to be with family and friends.”

The Italian American Society Summer Festa Picnic takes place Sunday, Aug. 9, at Hickory Grove Park in Dunlap. Admission is $3 for ages 13 and older, with children 12 and under admitted free. Cash and Venmo only.