As Italy celebrates 150 years, Festa Italiana celebrates 34 years at the Lakefront this year, running Thursday, July 21-Sunday, July 24 at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park.

In addition to the delectable food and the good times that are always on tap, Festa will focus on the northeastern Veneto region of Italy, home to the incomparable city of Venice.

So, Festa brings back the gondolas to offer rides so families and lovers can get a fun and romantic view of the skyline and the festival from on Lake Michigan.

"I have been involved in the coordination of Festa for the last 25 years, so I am 'invested' in it emotionally," says Italian Community Center president Dave Spano.

"It has always been an opportunity to get together with all of the family, other than weddings and funerals. That also holds true for the community. This is something that is at the core of the ICC both financially, and more importantly a celebration of Italian culture capped by the Mass on Sunday."

Among this year's entertainers are Buddy Valastro: TLC's Cake Boss in the Marcus Amphitheater on Saturday, July 23 at 3 p.m.; The Monkees bring their 45th anniversary tour to the Amp that same day at 7:30 p.m. and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons perform there on Sunday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Returning favorite include Dick Contino, The Bronx Wanders, Tony Spavone, Frank Tenaglia, Christopher Macchio, Franco Corso, John Ciotta and the Russo Brothers.

Some newcomers include late-era Journey frontman Steve Augeri, Fran Cosmo (formerly of Boston), Sweden's Abba Arrival, Bella Donna – A Tribute to Stevie Nicks and Milwaukee's own Anthony Crivello, currently staring as "The Phantom" in "The Phantom of the Opera" in Las Vegas.

There will also be two groups from Italy at Festa this year:

Il Coro Polifonico Flegreo choir from Naples and Sicily's Gruppo Bandistico G. Verdi.

And aspiring performers take note, the Italian Idol Karaoke Contest returns for the sixth year! Contestants compete Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. just east of the main entrance to the festival grounds. Check-in time each evening begins at 6.

Three finalists and an alternate will be chosen each night to compete in the Sunday finals for cash prizes.

Festa hosts its first fashion show this year, too.

Each night at 7 on the Potawatomi Stage, local celebrities will wear the works of Italian designers from B'Lou Boutique and Squire Fine Men's Apparel.

With so much going on, we asked Spano what he's anticipating most at Festa 2011.

"The abbondanza (fireworks) in the sky Friday night, the return of gondolas, the new music on the grounds, and Guido's, the new bar at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard," he says.

"The grounds entertainment is as strong as ever. Tony Crivello and Abba Arrival will be show stoppers."

Admission to Festa Italiana is $13. Children 12 and under are admitted free for all four days when accompanied by an adult. Festa Italiana is offering free admission for active duty military members and one guest all four days with an eligible military ID.

Visit the Festa website for admission specials and deals, complete entertainment schedules, information on food vendors and more.

Festa is open Thursday, 2 p.m.-midnight, Friday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m. until midnight.