The McAlester Italian Festival

The Italian Festival of McAlester, Oklahoma (USA), has been one of the finest annual events in Oklahoma since its inception in 1971. Held on Friday at 11 am and all day Saturday, the Festival draws thousands of visitors to the fairgrounds of the Pittsburg County Expo Center for the two-day event. Join the many thousands who enjoy delicious Italian Food in the Food Tent and the Sandwich Tent, a var

iety of other foods from dozens of concessionaires, live entertainment for all ages, shopping among the hundreds of vendors, craft show booths and fine arts booths.

We would like to give a HUGE thank you to our Sponsors who help make the festival so great! Presenting Sponsor:The City ...
06/12/2026

We would like to give a HUGE thank you to our Sponsors who help make the festival so great!

Presenting Sponsor:
The City of McAlester

Premier Sponsor:
Sam Wampler’s Freedom Ford

Spaghetti and Meatball Sponsor:
The Bank NA

Muffuletta Sponsors:
First National Bank
Kennedy Eyecare
Meeco Sullivan
Miller Office Equipment
Vicars Powersports

Lasagna Sponsors:
First Family Federal Credit Union
Josh Hass Insurance
Miller Glass
Murdaugh Metal Works
Prime Structures

We appreciate your support year after year!

The 2027 McAlester Italian Festival is already in the planning stages, and we want your feedback!Our Chairman, Ron Dusen...
06/04/2026

The 2027 McAlester Italian Festival is already in the planning stages, and we want your feedback!

Our Chairman, Ron Dusenberry, has shared an open letter to the community asking one simple question: **What would make you more likely to attend the festival?**

While the McAlester Italian Festival is proudly rooted in our local community, it has grown into one of Oklahoma's largest festivals, attracting visitors from across the state and beyond. That's why we don't just want to hear from our friends, family, and neighbors here at home—we want to hear from everyone who has attended in the past, plans to attend in the future, or has ideas that could make the festival even better.

Whether you're from McAlester, another Oklahoma community, or one of the many visitors who travel here each year, your feedback matters.

What attractions, entertainment, food experiences, activities, or special events would you like to see added to the 2027 McAlester Italian Festival?

Take a moment to read Chairman Ron Dusenberry's letter below and leave your thoughts in the comments. We look forward to hearing your ideas as we begin planning for another great year of food, family, fun, and Italian tradition!

PART 3 of 3: ICYMI – Day 2 of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival 🇮🇹🍝😂If there’s one event guaranteed to create s...
05/14/2026

PART 3 of 3: ICYMI – Day 2 of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival 🇮🇹🍝😂

If there’s one event guaranteed to create smiles, laughter, and unforgettable photos, it’s the Kid’s Spaghetti Eating Contest!

Some came with a strategy. Some went all-in. Some somehow ended up wearing more spaghetti than they actually ate. 😂

The final day of the festival wrapped up with incredible memories, huge crowds, and another successful celebration of food, family, music, and tradition. Thank you all the kids for participating and bringing so many smiles to our faces.

The festival may be over for this year, but these photos help us relive every moment. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, performed, sponsored, and helped make the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival another unforgettable weekend. We already can’t wait for next year!

PART 2 of 3: ICYMI – Day 2 of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival 🇮🇹🍝🎶The sights, sounds, and smells of Day 2 wer...
05/14/2026

PART 2 of 3: ICYMI – Day 2 of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival 🇮🇹🍝🎶

The sights, sounds, and smells of Day 2 were hard to beat!

From amazing Italian food and favorite festival treats to outstanding entertainment throughout the day, Saturday had something for everyone. Whether you came for the music, the atmosphere, or the food lines, there was no shortage of excitement across downtown McAlester.

One of the highlights of the day was the annual Sauce Competition, where contestants put their recipes and bragging rights on the line.

Competition was fierce, and the judges definitely had a tough job! Congratulations to our winners:

🥇 1st place - Christy (Buckley) Sottosanti

🥈 2nd place - Lynsay Jordan

🥉 3rd place - Cindy Barr

Take a look back at some of the flavors and fun from the final day.

PART 1 of 3: ICYMI – Day 2 of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival 🇮🇹❤️The final day of the 54th Annual McAlester ...
05/14/2026

PART 1 of 3: ICYMI – Day 2 of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival 🇮🇹❤️

The final day of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival may be in the books, but the memories are still fresh! We’re taking a look back through the photos and reliving all the excitement from an incredible Saturday.

Day 2 kicked off with one of the festival’s favorite traditions — our Crowning Ceremonies! Congratulations again to Michael and Bonnie Maisano, our 2026 Re and Regina. Thank you to everyone who participated and represented the spirit and tradition of this long-running community celebration.

From smiling faces and proud families to unforgettable moments on stage, these photos captured the beginning of an amazing final day.

Stay tuned… because there was still plenty more food, fun and excitement ahead! 🍝👑

05/11/2026

How amazing were Analisa & John!?!?! ❤️🇮🇹 We loved having them back at the festival this year! They have been like family to us. 🍝

05/11/2026

Michael and Bonnie Maisano were named the 2026 McAlester Italian Festival Re and Regina during this year’s 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival, Friday and Saturday, May 8-9 at the Southeast

Happy Mother’s Day from the McAlester Italian Festival! 💐🇮🇹Today, we celebrate all the amazing moms, grandmothers, and m...
05/11/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from the McAlester Italian Festival! 💐🇮🇹

Today, we celebrate all the amazing moms, grandmothers, and mother figures who bring families together — just like great food, tradition, and community do every year at the McAlester Italian Festival. ❤️

Thank you for the love, support, recipes, memories, and traditions you pass down through generations. We hope your day was filled with family, laughter, and maybe even a little pasta! 🍝

Buona Festa della Mamma from all of us at the McAlester Italian Festival!

05/09/2026

It’s a beautiful day for the second day of the Italian Festival ☀️
Come have some fun and eat some good food! 🍝🎡

🇮🇹 ICYMI (Part 2): More Great Moments from Day 1 of the McAlester Italian Festival! 🇮🇹We had way too many great photos n...
05/09/2026

🇮🇹 ICYMI (Part 2): More Great Moments from Day 1 of the McAlester Italian Festival! 🇮🇹

We had way too many great photos not to share more! 🙌

The first day of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival brought amazing crowds, delicious Italian food, outstanding entertainment, and another great reminder of why this event is such a treasured tradition in McAlester.

📸👇 Here’s Part 2 of our Day 1 highlights!

Day 2 is happening TODAY and there’s still plenty of fun ahead:

🛍 Vendors open at 10am
👑 Crowning Ceremonies at 10:30am
🍝 Food service begins at 11am
🏆 Sauce Competition entries accepted until NOON
🍝 Kid’s Spaghetti Eating Contest starts at 2pm
🎶 Live music all day, including Analisa & John, the Italian Duo, from 12pm–1:30pm

Food tents and vendors are planned to stay open until 7pm, but some food booths may close earlier if they sell out due to demand.

Come enjoy another great day at one of Oklahoma’s favorite festivals! 🇮🇹❤️

McAlester Tourism
Oklahoma Tourism
Visit Choctaw Country

Address

4500 W US Highway 270
McAlester, OK
74501

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