By Jessica Ramsey
Roman legionaries invaded Columbia Oct. 22 during the fourth annual Italian Festival.
The Italian Festival hosted members of the Sixth Legion, a Roman Army historical reenactment group from Summerville, S.C.. The group displayed replicas of ancient artillery, armor, jewelry and other objects.
The legion educates people about a Roman soldier’s daily life. The Sixth Legion is based on an actual Roman legion that was stationed in Judea during the time of Christ, according to Jim Schultheis, 54, a member of the group.
Main Street saw more than Romans during the event, sponsored by Bella Italia Lodge, an organization that hopes to raise awareness of the Italian-American population in Columbia.
Plays were put on by a troupe of fools. In addition to their performances of “The Princess and the Pea” and “Pinocchio,” the troupe also danced throughout the festival to attract an audience.
Among the other stands were shops selling some Italian food, such as gelato, cannolis and pizzas, wine and beer. Other stands sold wreaths made from wine corks, jewelry, Italian snacks, breads, cheeses and home-made deserts.
Traditional Italian music was preformed by the Eurorhythms, an Italian-American band. The band, which started at Ohio University, is currently on tour, according to Ray Massa, the band’s leader.
A bocci tournament was held behind the stage, on three fields. Bocci is an Italian game related to bowling. “The object of the game is for individual or team players to roll a larger ball (bocce) closer to a smaller target ball (pallino) then their opponents,” according to the United States Bocce Federation.
Other attractions included a grape-stamping stand, a living statue, a violinist, children’s activities and an Italian car show featuring Ferraris and one Mercedes-Benz.
