Friendship Festival

Italian and American children learn how to make a variety of crafts during the 8th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival held in Roveredo, Italy, Sept. 5, 2009. The annual festival allowed American participants stationed at Aviano Air Base to meet and socialize with their Italian hosts while learning more about Italy's history and culture and sampling local cuisine. (Courtesy photo/Agnes Cronin)

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Friendship Festival

A family checks out some of the booths displaying various local food products to hand-made crafts during the 8th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival held in Roveredo, Italy, Sept. 5, 2009. The annual festival allowed American participants stationed at Aviano Air Base to meet and socialize with their Italian hosts while learning more about Italy's history and culture and sampling local cuisine. (Courtesy photo/Agnes Cronin)

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Friendship Festival

Italian and American soccer players unite during the 8th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival held in Roveredo, Italy, Sept. 5, 2009. The annual festival allowed players from both countries to display their skills and fancy footwork during a friendly but competitive matchup and form new bonds between the two countries. (Courtesy photo/Agnes Cronin)

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Friendship Festival

Italians and Americans get into position for a parade during the 8th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival held in Roveredo, Italy, Sept. 5, 2009. The annual festival allowed American participants stationed at Aviano Air Base to meet and socialize with their Italian hosts while learning more about Italy's history and culture and sampling local cuisine. (Courtesy photo/Agnes Cronin)

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Friendship Festival

Col. Charles Q. Brown Jr., 31st Fighter Wing commander, take part in one of many games available for participants who attended the 8th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival held in Roveredo, Italy, Sept. 5, 2009. The annual festival allowed American participants stationed at Aviano Air Base to meet and socialize with their Italian hosts while learning more about Italy's history and culture and sampling local cuisine. (Courtesy photo/Michele Missinato)

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Friendship Festival

Italian civic leaders and American military members line up with local groups to march in a parade during the 8th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival held in Roveredo, Italy, Sept. 5, 2009. The annual festival allowed American participants stationed at Aviano Air Base to meet and socialize with their Italian hosts while learning more about Italy's history and culture and sampling local cuisine. (Courtesy photo/Michele Missinato)

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Friendship Festival

An honor guard details from the 31st Fighter Wing takes part in the opening ceremonies of the 8th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival held in Roveredo, Italy, Sept. 5, 2009. The annual festival allowed American participants stationed at Aviano Air Base to meet and socialize with their Italian hosts while learning more about Italy's history and culture and sampling local cuisine. (Courtesy photo/Michele Missinato)

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Friendship Festival

Italian and American children and adults received hands-on instruction on form and technique in properly using a bow and arrow to hit a target during the 8th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival held in Roveredo, Italy, Sept. 5, 2009. The annual festival allowed American participants stationed at Aviano Air Base to meet and socialize with their Italian hosts while learning more about Italy's history and culture and sampling local cuisine. (Courtesy photo/Agnes Cronin)

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Friendship Festival

The Aero club of Pordenone flys overhead the 8th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival held in Roveredo, Italy, Sept. 5, 2009. The annual festival allowed American participants stationed at Aviano Air Base to meet and socialize with their Italian hosts while learning more about Italy's history and culture and sampling local cuisine. (Courtesy photo/Michele Missinato)

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Annual festival strengthens U.S.-Italian relations

Published Sept. 16, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor
31st Figther Wing public affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- More than 1,600 Italians from the surrounding areas and American Airmen and thier families assigned to Aviano Air Base participated in the 8th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival Sept. 5 in the town of Roveredo, Italy.

The annual festival is held to promote friendship between the American and Italian communities and allows them the opportunity to meet and get to know each other.

This year's events included a variety of events including food, games, a parade, Sept. 11 memorial ceremony, reveille ceremony, sporting events, performances and exhibits too included the "Takam Music Association," a flyover by the Aero Club of Pordenone, and more.