City dedicates section of Hertel Ave. 'Italian Festival Way'

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Italian pride will be filling Hertel Avenue next weekend for the Galbani Italian Heritage Festival. It's a tradition in Buffalo that's been going on for half a century now.

"We're going to bring you to our biggest Italian table you ever saw, and that's what we're about -- we're about sharing with everybody," said Judy Porto-Fiorella, president of the Galbani Italian Heritage Festival.

The festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary next weekend in the section of Hertel Avenue that's now dedicated as the "Italian Festival Way."

"This sign is more than just a marker; it's a tribute to five decades of tradition, community, and heritage that helped shape Buffalo's identity and spirit," said Acting Mayor Christopher Scanlon.

For Porto-Fiorella, she's helping keep her father's legacy alive, as he helped begin this tradition for the City of Buffalo.

"They just wanted their tradition known; they wanted the Italian tradition known," said Porto-Fiorella.

There will be dozens of vendors serving Italian cuisine, traditional activities including grape stomping and Sicilian puppet shows, cooking classes, music, and more.

"As we celebrate 50 years of this incredible festival, let us also celebrate the values and culture that brought us here that will continue to inspire for the next 50," said Peter LoJacono, vice president of the Galbani Italian Heritage Festival.

The festival will be taking place July 25-27. For more information, visit their website here.