Listen, I don’t need an excuse to spend an entire weekend eating carbs, dancing in the street, and pretending I have a long-lost Nonna named Rosa who’s watching over me with a wooden spoon—but if I did? The St. Anthony’s Festival in Cortland, June 7-8 would be it.
It’s two glorious days of Italian-American celebration, and trust me: if you’re not embracing the full Italian experience by the end of the weekend, you’re doing it wrong. Here are my top five reasons to lean in, mangia hard, and maybe leave with powdered sugar all over your shirt.
1. The Food (obviously—were you expecting bocce?)
Let’s not play coy: I came for the pizza, and I stayed for the pizza fritta. Imagine hot, golden fried dough dusted with sugar and paired with a scoop of gelato that melts just enough to make it slightly sinful. That’s amore. But the fried bliss is just the beginning. There's classic pizza in all its forms—plain, pepperoni, and loaded like your uncle’s opinions—along with cheesy, comforting ziti al formaggio served with bread and butter, naturally. The tomato pie nearly made me cry, and don’t even get me started on the meatball subs—big enough to count as emotional support. Beans and greens, sausage with peppers and onions, and the sweet, sweet smell of marinara in the air round out the savory offerings. And yes, there are hot dogs, but frankly, if that’s your move at an Italian festival, we need to talk. Finish strong with a dolci lineup that includes gelato, cannoli, and other pastries that look too pretty to eat—but don’t let that stop you.
2. The Live Music Lineup Is Chef’s Kiss
Saturday night, the Armando Natale Main Stage transforms into a block party with brass. Start with People People, move into the high-energy chaos of Fall Creek Brass Band, and—don’t forget—there’s a Saturday Night Special Raffle to test your luck. Then it’s back to the music before the grand finale fireworks.
On Sunday, it’s a full lineup of toe-tapping, pasta-dancing goodness from Cortland High’s Modern Band to the Old Timers Band closing us out. Bonus: Joey & John serenade the Piccolo Stage twice like it’s their full-time job. Which it might be. Respect.
3. Saturday Night Fireworks (Boom. Done.)
Is there anything more romantic than fireworks over a festival while holding hands with your bestie and a half-eaten meatball sub? No. No, there is not. The fireworks go off at 9:30pm on Saturday, and it’s the kind of thing that makes you want to dramatically yell “Viva Sant’Antonio!” into the night sky.
4. Sunday’s Procession: Cutest Parade on Earth
Sunday afternoon features a traditional procession honoring Saint Anthony—complete with music, flowers, and more adorable children in matching outfits than your camera roll can handle. It’s sweet. It’s sincere. It might just restore your faith in humanity (or at least in community festivals).
5. Games, Prizes, and the Cake Wheel of My Dreams
If you’re a competitive spirit with a sweet tooth, I present to you: The Cake Wheel. You spin, you win, you eat cake. It’s glorious chaos. There are kids’ games, face painting, and caricature drawing Sunday from 12:30–6pm—plus revamped games for older kids and teens (less beanbag, more bragging rights). For the grown-ups? The Prize Wheel is spinning Saturday from 4–10pm, and the Basket Raffle runs Sunday afternoon, so plan accordingly and bring your lucky socks.
Final Thoughts (and one more meatball)
The St. Anthony’s Festival is the kind of weekend that reminds you why small-town traditions matter—and also that you can, in fact, eat gelato twice in one day if you pace yourself. Whether you’re Italian by blood or by appetite, Cortland’s celebration of Saint Anthony is a joyful, musical, meatball-filled masterpiece. See you there, preferably near the sausage cart.
For more info about St. Anthony's Festival and to see the full schedule visit saintanthonysfestival.org