SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!
Festival Location Change

    Due to unexpected circumstances beyond our control the 2008 Independence Italian Festival has moved to the Independence Industrial park located at 746 E Railroad Ave by the Independence Nation Guard Armory and Central Tangi Head Start. Just follow the signs to support the success of the festival and enjoy another year of some family fun with more rides, great food, arts and crafts, live music, and plenty available parking.

“Arrivederci” Noto Buono
About Our Town

    Independence, known as the “Little Italy” of Louisiana, was created as a result of the New Orleans to Jackson rail route of the Greater Northern Railroad. It was first called “Rabbit Town” and later referred to as “Uncle Sam.” Believing that the town needed a name with more dignity, a Welch immigrant named Christopher Evans gave the settlement the name of Independence. The Downtown Historic District was created by the City of Independence in 1982.

2008 Calendar of Events

April 5 Annual Bass Tournament
North Pass Landing, Manchac

April 21 Spaghetti Cook-off
Gina's Cafe
Download Cook-off Entry Form HERE.

May 10 Annual Festival Pageant
Mater Dolorosa Gymnasium
Download Pageant Registration Form HERE.
Form is in PDF format.

2008 Independence Italian Festival
Entertainment Lineup

Friday, April 25th

Musical Performances
  6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Joe Timmons
    & Solid Sound Band
  9:00 - 12:00 a.m. Van Broussard
    & The Bayou Boogie Band

Saturday, April 26th

10:00 a.m. Parade. Download Entry Form.
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 Broken Silence
12:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  Opening Ceremonies
  Welcome by Mayor Phillip Domiano
  Invocation by Father Chris Romain
Musical Performances
  12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Broken Silence
  2:00 - 4:30 p.m. Fly By Night
  4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Destiny
  6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Rhythm Kings
  8:30 - 12:00 a.m. Kenny Fife & Bac Trac Band

Sunday, April 27th

12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. J & B Karaoke & DJ
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Russell Walker

*RIDES BY GOLD STAR ANUSEMENT

Container & Dress Code

    The Festival is located on the Baseball Field behind the Mater Dolorosa School. Glass containers, ice chests, and coolers are PROHIBITED within the Festival grounds. Festival attendees CANNOT enter the grounds without a shirt and/or shoes. The dress code will be enforced.