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HerrinFesta Italiana 2026 gets underway

HerrinFesta in full swing HerrinFesta Italiana is underway. (kfvs12)

HERRIN, Ill. (KFVS) - It’s time for a beloved southern Illinois tradition. HerrinFesta Italiana is underway.

Organizers say this year’s festival has plenty to offer, including free live music, bocce ball and pickleball tournaments, a parade, movie screening at the library, pasta eating contest and much more for families to enjoy.

READ: Herrin City Library to host free movie screening to celebrate HerrinFesta

Talk of the Heartland: HerrinFesta Italiana kicks off this week Talk of the Heartland: HerrinFesta Italiana kicks off this week (kfvs12)

Events for the festival began Monday, May 18 with the Miss HerrinFesta Scholarship Pageant. That was from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Herrin Civic Center.

The Mayor’s HerrinFesta Honoree Banquet was Tuesday, May 19, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the civic center.

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Carnival midway

  • 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 21 (Opening Night)
  • 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 22
  • Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 23
  • Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 24
  • 1 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 25

Free live music at the entertainment tent

  • Matt Basler - 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 22
  • Members Only - 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 22
  • Justin Bizzle - 6:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 23
  • Tyler Richton and The High Bank Boys - 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 23
  • Backline 5 - 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 24
  • The Feudin’ Hillbillys - 8 to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 24

Bocce ball tournaments

Three tournaments will take place at the Herrin Bocce Complex:

  • 11 a.m. Friday, May 22: Robert A. Ferarri Corporate Division Bocce Tournament
  • 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 23: Adult-Child Bocce Tournament
  • 1 p.m. Sunday, May 24: International Championship Bocce Tournament

Friday, May 22

The Ed Goodwin Memorial Prayer Breakfast begins at 7 a.m. at the civic center.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Golfing for Grads Scholarship Golf Scramble will take place at the Pine Lakes Golf Course.

History of Herrin: The Movie will be screened at the Herrin City Library at 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 23

Saturday kicks off bright and early at 8 a.m. with the JALC Logan Fitness Tri-Festa Triathlon at Logan Fitness.

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A breakfast will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Herrin Masonic Lodge.

Organizers say the HerrinFesta Grand Parade will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Herrin.

From 2 to 5 p.m., there will be a Pasta Sauce Contest and Pasta Eating Contest at the civic center.

The Art Contest Award Ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at the library.

The Grape Stomp will take place from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the Free Entertainment Tent.

Sunday, May 24

There will be a car show from 10 a.m. to noon at Herrin Memorial Park.

A Special Intention Mass will take place at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church from 11 a.m. to noon.

The Herrin Heritage Club: Italian Film Night at the Civic Center is from 5 to 11 p.m.

Monday, May 25

The HerrinFesta Road Races are from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the civic center.

A memorial service will take place at the WWI Doughboy Memorial from 9 to 10 a.m. on N. Park Ave.

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Festa di Pickleball, a pickleball tournament, will take place at the Herrin City Park outdoor pickleball facility from noon until 6 p.m. Organizers say it’s to raise money for the Herrin High School Future Business Leaders of America to attend the FBLA National Leadership Conference.

For a complete schedule of events and links to register for tournaments, visit herrinfesta.com.

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