Fiera Italiana preview fashion show on ABC 7

Tracey Tarantino of ZZAZZ Productions and Dominic DiFrisco of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) appeared on ABC 7's 11 a.m. news broadcast to promote Fiera Italiana, a five-day festival happening next week at Daley Plaza.

Anchors Sylvia Perez and Linda Yu had front row seats for a preview fashion show featuring designs from local Italian designers Paul Sisti and Melissa Serpico. A similar fashion show will kick off Fiera Italiana on Monday, October 5 at noon. The event runs through Friday, October 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily with the noon hour featuring live entertainment each day. Italian food vendors, jewelry designers and more will be onsite displaying and selling their goods. Fiera Italiana, hosted by the JCCIA, is the kick off celebration to the Columbus Day Parade held Monday, October 12.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.jccia.com or contact the event producers at (312) 994-2620.

Fiera Italiana brings Italian culture to Chicago's Daley Plaza October 5-9

In honor of Chicago's rich Italian American heritage, the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) is hosting Fiera Italiana from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., October 5 - 9 at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington Ave.) This outdoor festival-style event brings food, drink, performing arts, entertainment, fashion and more in celebration of the culture of Italy. The festivities will be the kick off to the tradition that is Chicago's annual Columbus Day Parade on October 12.

"The goal of Fiera Italiana is for the JCCIA to showcase the culture of Italy and the Italian American heritage to Chicagoans and visitors of Daley Plaza," says event producer Michelle Durpetti, managing partner of McGowan Durpetti & Associates. "As an Italian American myself, it is an honor to be a part of such a great event that everyone can enjoy."

Fiera Italiana, an open-to-the-public event, is an opportunity for the JCCIA along with assistance from area businesses, to share its mission and celebrate Italian American heritage. Live entertainment is planned for each day of the festival during the busy lunch hour between noon and 1 p.m. In addition to top performers from the Chicago area, visitors enjoy shopping, wine tasting, culinary demonstrations, dining, fashion events, artistic showcases, musical recordings and strolling performers on the plaza.

The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans is an independent non-profit association dedicated to preserving Italian American heritage and providing a unified voice for metropolitan Chicago's Italian American community. Founded in 1952, the JCCIA serves as a congress for more than 65 Italian American organizations, as well as a clearinghouse for information about the Chicago area Italian American community. Working alongside the JCCIA are its three divisions: the Women's Division, West Suburban Women's Division and Young Professionals Division.

For more information about Fiera Italiana, contact McGowan Durpetti & Associates at (312) 994-2620. For more information about the JCCIA, visit www.jccia.com.