FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Elissa Ruffino, 202-939-3106, elissa@niaf.org

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*Beer Sampling, Wine Tasting, Cooking Demo, Italian Sports Cars,

Pop-Up Luxury Stores *

**Play Bocce and Bring the Kids for Family Fun**

 FREE and Open to Public, Visit www.niaf.org/40

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 22, 2015) To celebrate its 40^th birthday, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is bringing back the popular Expo Italiana. On Saturday, October 17, Expo Italiana will showcase the best of Italy with the finest Italian food and specialties, wine, fashion and culture, as part of the Foundation’s 40^th Anniversary Awards Gala Weekend. Expo Italiana will be held at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, in Exhibition Hall C, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expo Italiana is free and open to the public.

David Greco owner of the world-famous Mike’s Deli of Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, N.Y., will prepare old-fashioned sandwiches and Italian specialties as a complimentary lunch for all guests. Throughout the day, Expo Italiana will be the place to meet, mingle and feel at home.

Vendors will present new Italian brands as well as top-of-the-line products from Italy in pop-up boutiques. See the latest Italian luxury cars; sample Peroni Nastro Azzurro beer, enjoy espresso at Lavazza Café; sip Limoncello, one of Italy’s most popular liqueurs; and indulge in Dolce Gelati.

There will be an exciting auction preview during Expo Italiana. Guests can bid on vacations in Rome and along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, including Sorrento, or take home the latest Ferragamo handbag. For book lovers, a collection of illustrated books published by Rizzoli, including “Giorgio Armani,” written by the award-winning fashion designer; “Maserati: The Evolution of Style” and a library of Italian cookbooks from The Silver Spoon Kitchen donated by Phaidon, will be available to take home.

Pinstripes of Georgetown also will set up an indoor bocce court with demos, instructions and celebrity games. Children and families are welcome to join the fun. There will be face painting; Italian story time; folklore dance performances and presentations; a sing along and live music to dance throughout the day.

Italian artist and award-winning Italian language educator Simona Rodano will appear at 2 p.m. as La Fata Italiana (The Italian Fairy), and present a musical learning program for children. The fun, interactive performance will teach Italian language and culture through song and dance.

Special to the event is NIAF’s Exhibit of Italian American Culture and a photographic exhibit showcasing the life in Southern Italy. Guests can also learn about Italian dual citizenship, genealogy, language and travel programs.

NIAF is also hosting its popular wine tasting for lovers of Italian wines alongside the expo and later in the afternoon, at 1:30 p.m. Enjoy a special wine tasting and antipasti with a sommelier. The ticketed wine event is $150.

 For more information about Expo Italiana, contact Stephanie Gordon at 202/939-3107. For the ticketed NIAF Wine Tasting & Antipasti, contact Xavier Atizol at 202-939-3100 or for events and ticket information for NIAF’s 40^th Anniversary Awards Gala Weekend, visit www.niaf.org/40

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of Americans of Italian descent.