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Italian Fest seeks SWFL’s best homemade marinara sauce

2 min read

The Rotary Club of Fort Myers returns to the Alliance for the Arts Oct. 26 for Italian Fest 2014, sponsored by Progressive Builders & Honc Industries. Italian Fest will tantalize taste buds and provide entertainment for the whole family. There will be plenty of food, along with cold beverages, beer, wine, Italian ice and ice cream.

Restaurants represented at this year’s festival include A Touch of Italy, LaMotta’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, Mario’s Meat Market, Pizza Fusion, Queenie’s Ice Cream and University Grill.

Back by popular demand is the Marinara Contest, judged by a panel of local celebrities including Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson and ABC7 Chief Meteorologist John Patrick. A marinara sauce is a highly seasoned tomato sauce made with garlic and/or other such ingredients as onions, parsley, olives, etc., but does not contain any meat. Homemade sauces may be entered by individuals (sorry no restaurants!) from 11 a.m to 12:30 p.m. during Italian Fest. Pre-registration is strongly suggested by completing an entry form and sending your entry fee of $10 to Rotary Club of Fort Myers, Attn: Italian Fest Marinara Contest, 102 McGregor Blvd Suite 102, Fort Myers, FL 33901.

Prizes include: 1st place $50 cash, 2nd place $25 cash and 3rd place a restaurant gift certificate. Sauces must be delivered to the festival grounds Oct. 26 in pint size non-returnable containers. For full rules and entry forms visit www.FortMyersItalianFest.org.

The 2014 entertainment lineup includes Alter Ego, Fort Myers High School Chorus, A Moment in Time, Italian Dancers from Creative Arts, a Spaghetti Eating Contest and much more. Entertainment begins promptly at 11:30 a.m. and continues through 5 p.m. Fun family activities are plentiful and will include bounce houses, slides, and more!

The Alliance for the Arts is at 10091 McGregor Boulevard – Fort Myers, on the corner of McGregor and Colonial. Blankets and chairs are allowed, however coolers are prohibited. Event proceeds will benefit the Fort Myers Rotary Club Foundation and the Harry Chapin Food Bank. For event details visit www.FortMyersItalianFest.org or call 239-332-8158