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The Big Apple is turning into Il Bel Paese this week for its first-ever Ciao Day, a one-day-only Italian celebration taking over Madison Square Park in observance of Festa della Repubblica, the national holiday commemorating the founding of the Italian Republic in 1946. Taking place on Tuesday, June 2 from noon to 4pm, the free and open-to-the-public festival will transform the public plaza with cheery café tables dressed in flowers and lemons, live brass bands, caricature drawings, children's activities (face-painting and storytime sessions hosted by Sullaluna) and, of course, plenty of food. (Because really, it wouldn't be an Italian party without it!)
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Speaking of il cibo, the "Mercato Italiano" food-and-drink spread will include free tastings from popular Italian restaurants like Eataly, Café Carmellini, Scarpetta, DiMarco and Piadi, as well as a special on-site partnership between New York's own Rosetta Bakery and Ferrarini (the historic Italian cured meat producer founded in Reggio Emilia in 1956), and the new U.S. gelato lineup from Sammontana Gelati all'Italiana, Italy's leading gelato brand and Ciao Day's main sponsor. Attendees can get an early taste ten of the brand's new products, including gelato bars, gelato sandwiches and gelato cones, in a nice bit of brand synergy: Sammontana was founded in 1946, the very same year as the Italian Republic.
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Ciao Day isn't just part of Madison Square Park Conservancy's ongoing programming to promote culture and community in NYC; transforming "one of Manhattan's most historic public spaces into a venue for community-driven, free, and accessible experiences," per organizers. The event also marks the second chapter of a multi-year partnership between the park conservancy and Sammontana; you might remember last summer when the gelato brand hosted a Sammontana Sundays weekly series and gave the space a makeover with 27 custom umbrellas for Mediterranean beach-club vibes and much-welcome shade in the park. We're happy to see that the sweet summertime collabs are still coming.