AUGUST 30TH - SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2024
The Full Story
Immigrants
Around the turn of the last century, Clinton, Indiana, located approximately 15 miles north of Terre Haute, had a great influx of Italian immigrants to the area to work in the coal mines. At one point the city had a population of over 15,000 people, of which, nearly one-third were Italian. The northwest area of Clinton became known as Little Italy as the majority of its inhabitants had come directly from Italy. Unlike a lot of the Italian immigration that took place at this time, most of the Clinton Italians were from northern Italy. A listing of businesses in the Little Italy section of Clinton in the 1920s shows (4) grocery stores, (2) meat markets, a bakery, a cheese shop, multiple tailors and clothing shops, shoe and variety stores all owned by Italian immigrants.
The Story of Project LIFT!
Since 1966 Clinton, Ind., has been hosting the Little Italy Festival. The festival started out small, but was genuine with good interests. Now, the Little Italy Festival is one of the biggest festivals in the Wabash Valley.
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A new Lions Club in Clinton was the start of a way to attract new people and tourist to the city. In 1966 the previously non-existent tourism was beginning to grow. The new club, which caught the eyes of the people, evolved in less than six months into the Clinton's first Little Italy Festival.
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The Lions Club committee proposed that some new work be done to the city to make it more recognizable to the public. The estimated cost of the project was $300, while at the same time, a photographer for the Clinton newspaper began to run articles in the paper about the city's lack of identity. Readers responded with suggestions for giving the city a known identity. Many suggestions were made in the next couple years, but the Italian theme had the best foundation. There is a part of Clinton that once thrived on the success of Italian Immigrants that was known as "Little Italy" and "spaghetti town."
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An article was published in the paper about the idea for an Italy Festival, which received great response from readers. The Lions Club, joined by many other local area organizations, all pitched in and began to organize and create the Little Italy Festival.
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Upon creation, the festival became a huge success. The Clinton Jaycees organization decided they wanted a real, full-size Venetian Gondola from Italy.​ Joe E. Beadsley headed up the search for the Gondola, and on Nov. 16, 1966, the group decided to order one to be built. It would cost them a grand total of $1,627. Between the years of 1967 and 1979, tourists at the festival could take rides down the Wabash River on this authentic Venetian Gondola. The boat has since been retired from service, but still serves as a symbol of the Little Italy Festival, and is pulled in the annual parade with the Re, Regina, and Queen of Grapes holding the seat of honor in the Gondola.
​2024 Little Italy Festival:
Some attractions to look forward to at the festival are things like the grape stomping, spaghetti-eating, pizza-eating, and mustachio contests, along with several area musical groups, and groups from the local school. You won't want to miss the Italian singers. who perform traditional Italian music daily at The Main Stage.
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The festival kicks off on Friday of Labor Day weekend, with the second largest parade in Indiana, followed by the official Welcome and Opening of the festival at The Main Stage on Water Street. Stick around for one of the best local bands, Whiskey Sour, and an awesome fireworks display.
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Saturday the fun continues with a Costume Contest, performances by the South Vermillion Band & Choir, Little Feet Dancers, the Little Miss pageant, and new this year--Teen Dance featuring DJ Wyatt.
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On Sunday, Vicki West Dancers and Coon Holler Kids grace the Main Stage, followed by another first: Family Movie Night, thanks to our sponsors Kanizer Excavating & Tom Burkett State Farm. Bring your bag chairs, grab some food from our amazing vendors and settle in with the familia to watch Pixar's "Luca" followed by "Elemental". It's a double feature "drive-in" for the kids with prizes for the best "car" (decorated boxes welcome!).
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Join us on Monday for Vicki West Dancers, SV Dance Team, Tumble Mania, and SVHS Cheer Team exhibitions. Stick around for the Meatball-eating contest and Grape Stomping. The festival wraps up with closing ceremonies, raffle winner announcements, and the Italian Singers!
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Starting with the parade, the festivities and fun begin on at 6 p.m. Friday. The festival ends Monday at 10 p.m.
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If you haven't made plans for Labor Day weekend yet, then head out to the Little Italy Festival for a weekend of Italian fun!
