Carfagna continues his legacy at the Columbus Italian Festival

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Italian Festival is taking place this weekend at St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church.

It is a festival known for its rich history and food. A local Italian market has been an integral part of the festival since its inception in 1980. Salvatore Carfagna – the general manager of Carfagna's – continues his family's legacy by producing his famous Italian Festival Sausage for the Columbus Italian Festival.

“We decided to make a special blend for the festival, a mix of sweet and spicy,” Carfagna said. “So it's a kind of medium-mix sausage.” And that this sausage was an Italian festival sausage.

Carfagna's long history with the Columbus Italian Festival began in 1980 when the festival was founded.

“My father and uncle were involved in the founding of the festival and were on the original board that put the festival together,” Carfagna said.

Salvatore Carfagna has been general manager of Carfagna's for three years, but he said he has been working for the family business since he could use a broom.

“When I was a little kid, I would help my dad camp and just be with him, with the family, helping them out as best I could,” Carfagna said. “I’m, you know, a little kid.”

And although the Italian festival is of great importance to Carfagna's, those responsible for the festival agree that without this festival they would not be where they are today.

“Carfagna's was certainly the anchor of the festival,” said Landa Brunetto, the festival's communications director. “They have donated so much product and this allows us to sell the products.” They are so humble and so kind.

And Carfagna says kindness extends beyond his team's contributions to the festival. He says they have long found ways to give back to the Italian Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist, the site that has been home to the festival since 1980.

“All the pasta, meatballs and sauce that we give to the church so they can enjoy a spaghetti dinner, all proceeds go back to the church to help the parish at St. John the Baptist Church,” Carfagna said.

faith, family, friends and food; According to the Carfagnas, the Columbus Italian Festival embodies what Italian culture is all about. The Italian festival lasts until Sunday.

If you would like to attend the festival, you can purchase tickets on their website.