Ciao Hickory

10/19/2026

Tables, chairs, decorations, setting up tents, helping vendors, directing traffic, running the raffle booth, assisting V.I.P. tables, handing out information about our nonprofit, talking to attendants, checking IDs, pouring w**e, handling trash, cleaning the building, the list goes on forever.

Setting up a festival takes an army, and all our volunteers showed up with the best energy!
We couldn't have brought the Ciao Hickory Italian Festival 2026🇮🇹 to life without all our volunteers! ❤️

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the Ciao Hickory friends and all the young volunteers who helped the festival become a reality! We appreciate all of you!
A special shout-out to our volunteer coordinator Kimberly Davis Lingerfelt Grazie! ❤️

10/14/2026

October is the Italian - American heritage month! Come celebrate it with us! 🇮🇹
Our monthly meetup is this Friday, October 16th, at 3 Little Birds Newton. We will be on the back patio.
The time is 6pm, but remember, it's Italian time, so if you arrive around 6.30pm/7pm you're not late at all.

You don't have to speak Italian to join, this is a social event where everyone is welcome, we enjoy some good food and a glass of w**e and make some new friends.
This event is sponsored by Casa della Cultura Italiana - NC

10/09/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Mich's Foreign Cars of Hickory for bringing and displaying the Maserati Ghibli and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio at our Ciao Hickory Italian Festival 🇮🇹 thank you for your support!

10/08/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Jamie at Golden Rule Music School in Hickory for helping our festival by providing the audio system and stage equipment! ❤️

10/07/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Terra Mia Mcadenville Ristorante e Bar Italian in McAdenville for helping our festival by donating and providing food for our volunteers! ❤️

10/06/2026

A heartfelt thank you to all the vendors who participated at the second annual Ciao Hickory Italian Festival 🇮🇹❤️
Grazie for believing in our mission and being part of the adventure!

Sweets & Savories by JoyMarie
The Natural Olive
Siano Mozzarella
Handcrafted Goodness
Paula's Pastries and Preserves
Blossoms & Baubles
True North Realty
The GoodPizzas
Selun Co
Libreria Bookstore
Sour Creations
Atlantida Paleteria
Lemonanigans
111 Coffee Valdese
Jam Bond Lemonade Lab

10/04/2026

The second annual 🇮🇹 Ciao Hickory Italian Festival is in the books!
Grazie a tutti for coming out to celebrate a day of culture, heritage, and community! ❤️

We are very grateful to all the vendors, sponsors, special guests, volunteers, and all attendees who support our nonprofit with such enthusiasm!

It started drizzling🌧️ around 3pm, so unfortunately we had to cancel our fashion show and wrap up a little bit earlier, but we had a good couple of hours of sunshine 🌞at the beginning of the festival, and we hope everyone enjoyed it.

This festival was organized by all volunteers, and we are very proud of what we achieve year after year.

Here are some pictures taken by Lele Fabiano: the Ciao Hickory merchandise booth with Heather, the Maserati Ghibli from Mich's Foreign Cars, the pasta cooking demo with Simona, our beautiful VIP tables arranged by Rhonda, and Hank Guess (Hickory's mayor) trying out one of the most iconic Italian motorcycles brand, Moto Guzzi🏍️
More pictures and appreciations to come in the next few days...😊

10/02/2026

Grazie, Focus Newspaper NC for sharing this beautiful article of our Ciao Hickory Italian festival 2026, happening tomorrow, October 3rd, from 12 to 5, at The Palace (1932 16th Street NE Hickory).

A domani, vi aspettiamo numerosi!

10/02/2026

GRAZIE to all our non-food vendors participating at the Ciao Hickory Italian Festival 2026 🇮🇹:
Libreria Bookstore
Selun Co
Blossoms & Baubles

Special thanks to True North Realty for being a returning vendor and offering a space for kids face painting and photo backdrops!

If you'd like to know more about her business, please visit their websites or page!

🇮🇹 Don't miss them at Ciao Hickory Italian Festival:
📆Sat. October 3rd
⏰12pm - 5pm
📍The Palace (1932 16th Street NE, Hickory)
FREE ENTRY - RAIN OR SHINE

For more info, or to buy VIP tickets, please visit: www.ciaohickory.com

10/01/2026