If Festa Italiana in Milwaukee has gotten too big for you, Racine's Roma Lodge Festival -- now in its 31st year -- has a homier feel, like Madison's Festa, which takes place in early June.

As the Roma Lodge folks like to boast, their festival has "Great food, great entertainment and all reasonably priced." There's music, festive decorations and more, but the best part is that all of the food is homemade by Roma Lodge members! And we all know that those Italian-Americans can cook!

This year's event celebrates the late Frank Bisotti, who dedicated many years of service to the Roma Lodge, including 22 years on the Festival Committee. The Festival has also committed a minimum of
$10,000 to be donated to the Wheaton Franciscan Health Care - All Saints. The charitable theme is "Give So Others Can
Live". The donated funds will be used to provide cancer patients with a patient cart and blanket warmer to be used during
their high dose radiation treatment. This should allow patients more comfort, warmth, and a less stressful environment
during their treatments.

Where: Racine Lakefront Festival Park

Hours: Friday, 4 p.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday, noon-1 a.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Admission: $5 at the gate, $4 in advance

Highlights: Sure, there's music, food and more, but Roma Lodge's festival also has a raffle that supports a different cause each year. This year the festival has committed to a minimum donation of $10,000 to the Wheaton Franciscan Health Care -- All Saints. The charitable theme is "Give So Others Can
Live" and funds will provide cancer patients with a patient cart and blanket warmer to be used during high-dose radiation treatments, creating more comfort and less stress during treatments. The drawing is Sunday at 8:30 p.m. and there are 10 cash prizes, with the top prize set at $15,000.

Oh yes, did we mention the spaghetti eating contest?!

For more information: romalodge.com, (262) 886-3610