It may be Idaho, but that’s Italian

Aromas of deep-fried pastries, homemade Italian sausage and garlic-rich pasta sauces wafted through the exhibit hall.

Italian polka music served as the background to a constant murmur of those gathered to indulge in authentic Italian food, wine and culture.

And an elderly woman who took a front row seat for a grape stomp competition Saturday feared she might end up with purple stains on her light-colored clothes.

“But I wanted to see what was happening,” said Coeur d’Alene resident Rosalie Knabe, who was at the second annual Festa Italiana, held at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

Last year, 7,000 people attended the celebration.

“The festival is a chance to share the spirit of the culture,” said Tina-Marie Schultz, president of the Order of Sons of Italy in America, which hosted the event. “It’s about life, love and family,” she said. “It’s everyone sitting around the table with mama cookin’ the sauce.”

Festa Italiana continues from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Admission is free, but there’s a charge for the food and parking is $1.

For Threes Toscano, whose late husband, William, was Italian, the temporary immersion in culture was just what she needed.

“Italian food is really good … I miss it,” the Chinese woman said. With some spring in her step, Toscano and her 13-year-old son, Christopher, wandered the exhibit hall, savoring a variety of the authentic offerings.

Their first stop was the homemade zeppoli, which are small balls of fried dough topped with powdered sugar, similar to what Americans call funnel cakes. Zeppoli, or zeppole, are a traditional dessert of southeast Italy.

To wash down the dessert, Toscano had an Italian soda. And for a main course she had peppers and homemade sausages.

“It was very good,” she said.

Food appeared to be the most popular draw Saturday. Swarms of people gathered around tables in front of the main stage to enjoy the cuisine or walked around carrying desserts, such as cannoli or gelato.

But when the Bolla Grape Stomp competition started in the neighboring hall, it was standing room only. Teams of three stomped around in wooden barrels to see who could produce the most grape juice.

Joe Lykins and his family had considered joining the competition, but the 55-year-old decided to keep his feet dry and clean, and just enjoy the festivities.

“It seemed like a fun thing to do,” said Lykins referring to Festa Italiana. “I like wine, so we’re going to check that out.”