Family Events

  • Little Miss and Mister Pageant application » The Miner's Institute is seeking entrants for the 2010 Little Miss and Mister Italianfest Pageant.

    The pageant is historically held at the Miner's Theatre and organized by the Miner's Institute Foundation. However, renovation in the historic building meant moving the annual pageant this year. Therefore, this year's Little Miss and Little Mister Italianfest is scheduled for Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Mississippian Room at the Gateway Center.

    The pageant is open to children in the metro-east area who will be 4-years old and not older than 8-years old on the pageant date, Sept. 11. Five finalists will be selected in each division (5 girls, 5 boys) and each finalist will receive a participation medal. One winner is selected by the judges in each division (1 girl, 1 boy). Winners will receive a trophy, crown, sash and other prizes and will ride in the Italian Fest parade. All pageant participants receive a gift bag. Winners cannot be current titleholders for any other pageant system or organization.

    The registration fee is $30 per participant and the deadline for registration is Sept. 1.

    For further information, contact pageant director Cheryl Romanich at 618- 345-5856.
  • 5-K Run Walk application » Annual 5K Run/Walk starts at 8 a.m. Saturday September 18, 2010
    Kids Fun Run starts at 9 a.m.
    Diaper Dash 9:45 a.m.

    Area residents will once again be able to participate in one of the most popular events at the Italian Fest. The annual 5K run/walk draws hundreds of contestants each year. A police escort and traffic control is provided for the race. The race route is marked and easy to follow. The run will start on Clay Street and finish on Main Street. For those interested in participating, there will be 14 divisions. Those include wheelchair, 10 and under(new this year!),11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-69, and 70 and over. Plaques will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each division, along with the top three finishers overall. Registration applications are also available at Collinsville Chamber of Commerce Office.

    New this Year!
    Half mile Kids Fun Run where all participants will receive an award (no shirts) and can visit with Izzy the Grizzly!

    Diaper Dash
    A 10 foot crawl for the diaper crowd 12 months and under with prizes to all entrants and grand prize to the winner.

    Lightweight commemorative sweatshirts guaranteed to all 5K entrants who register by September 1; after September 1, while supplies last.

    Packets are distributed on race day. Late registration and packet pick-up will be held from 6:30-7:45 a.m. at the race site.Fees vary depending on event and registration date. Please check the form.
  • Bocce Ball Tournament Want to give Bocce a try??

    Bocce Ball Tournament-Saturday, September 18, 2010 @ 10:00 am at Glidden Park in Collinsville, Illinois. Prizes to First, Second and Third place winners! Food and refreshments on site.

    What is bocce ball?
  • Grape Stomp It is believed that grape stomping goes back as far as Rome in 200 BC. For centuries grapes were picked by hand and grape stomping was the method used to extract juice from the grapes which was then used to make wine. This was done in every country that made wine.

    Eventually, concern for public health outweighed the grape stomping tradition. In most countries, grape stomping has been replaced with mechanical processing. Italy is one of the few countries where grape stomping still takes place.

    Italian Fest hosts its annual grape stomp on Friday, September 17 at noon on the Venezia Stage.
  • Parade application » Enjoy Collinsville’s Largest Parade!
    Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 4:00 PM

    Interested in having a float or decorated vehicle in the Italian Fest parade? Cash prizes are awarded in first through third place for floats and first place for decorated vehicle.
  • Wine Judging Local winemakers go for gold in the Italian Fest wine making contest. Wine will be judged by local area experts on fest grounds. One (1) 750 ml bottle of wine is required for each entry. Please label clearly with your name & wine name. Meads may be in beer or champagne bottles with crown caps. Entries will not be returned. Entries must be received no later than August 31, 2010 at the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce Office, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday or they can be delivered to :

    Dave’s Homebrewing
    122 East Main, Belleville, Il

    Entries can also be shipped (Via UPS only) to:

    Collinsville Chamber of Commerce
    221 West Main Street
    Collinsville, IL 62234

    Results will be announced Saturday September 18 after the judging along with Best of Show.

Children's Area Schedule

  • The Children's Area is an activity center for children ages 14 and under. The area is open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on both days of the Italian Fest.

    Details Coming Soon