Be a Part of the Largest Fest in the St. Louis Bi-State Area Devoted to All Things Italian

Come and celebrate in Collinsville, Illinois. The Italian Fest is a family-friendly event!

Since 1984, Collinsville IL has been celebrating the Italian culture and heritage that our city was built on. The annual celebration falls on the 3rd weekend of September, located in Uptown Collinsville on Main Street.

Admission & musical entertainment are free. We hope to see you at the Fest!

Pageant Information 

The 2026 Italian Fest Pageant is a non-professional contest open to all local girls and boys ages 3 years old to the 8th grade who are encouraged to participate.

Join us September 19th at 11:00 AM for the Italian Fest Pageant! Register by clicking the link below. Space is limited and will fill quickly! There will be a mandatory parent meeting before the event. Information on that meeting will be emailed to you by the Pageant Director.

Contestants will be judged on their personality and stage appearance.

11:00 am on the Venezia Stage on Main Street

*Grades enrolled as of Fall 2026 *Crowning categories are subject to change depending on registration numbers and ages.*

Pageant Components:
- Bio - Contestants will Read Aloud (no more than one paragraph)
- Question - Fun Fact about Italian Fest - must have prior approval by Pageant Director
- Talent - 1 Minute Time Limit - must have prior approval by Pageant Director

Pageant Restrictions:

• No Fake Eyelashes
• No Heavy Makeup
• No Midriffs
• No Booty Shorts
• No Wardrobe Changes
• Nothing with Fire

*This is not a beauty competition

Parade Information 

Each entry is limited to one motor vehicle. For the 2026 parade,if your vehicle is larger than a truck and trailer, please make specific note on the application.

Parade lineup is established according to protocol and public safety concerns.

• Grand Marshal – TBD
• Parade Theme – THERE IS NO THEME! BE CREATIVE AS YOU WANT!

2026 Parade Rules Regulations and Policies

• Parade application must be received by September 4th, 2026
• Collinsville Chamber of Commerce and Italian Fest Committee adopt and amend the rules 
  and regulations of the Italian Fest.
• Cars and decorated float entries will be allowed first in the parade. PLEASE NOTE THESE ENTRIES will be allowed in the 
  parade first.
• Each entry is limited to ONE (1) motor vehicle.
• All participants in the 2026 Italian Fest must abide by all rules, regulations, and decisions set forth by The Collinsville Chamber of Commerce and Italian Fest Committee.
• Floats will be judged on creativity, emotional appeal, originality, and overall effect.
     Float Prizes: 1st Place $200.00, 2nd Place $100.00, 3rd Place $50.00
• Decorated vehicles will be judged on creativity, emotional appeal, originality, and overall effect.
  Decorated vehicle prize – 1st Place Recognition
• Candy may be handed out with walkers alongside your unit.
• No refunds for entry fees will be given for units ejected from the parade.
• The Parade will start at Hesperia and Main Street. It will go up Main Street to Seminary. It will turn left on Seminary and then left on Clay Street. The Parade will end at Clay and 
  Combs. The parade will not go through the Fest grounds.
• Parade lineup begins at 2:30 pm. You will receive a map and line up number in the mail.
• If your application is not accepted for the parade your entry fee will be returned to you.
• Once you or your organization is accepted into the 2026 parade there are no refunds of entry fees.
• The parade begins promptly at 4:00 pm September 19, 2026.
• Once you are on the parade route keep your unit moving. Do not stop your unit during the parade unless you are instructed to do so by the parade committee, parade marshals or the Collinsville police.
• All drivers of motorized vehicles must be 21 years of age or older, must have a valid driver’s license, and must have, in their possession the day of the parade, proof of insurance 
  for the vehicle they are driving.
  

4th Annual Pizza Eating Contest 

Maximum Number of Contestants: 10

Required Age: 18+

Eating Contest Rules:

• Six minutes to eat as many pieces of cheese pizza as one can.
• A whole piece must be eaten before the next piece, this includes the crust.
• No stacking. Must eat one piece at a time.
• Any piece not finished by the allotted time shall not count. No half slices.
• Vomiting is an automatic DQ.
• If a contestant finishes they shall throw their hands in the air to signal they are done.
• In the event of a tie, we will have an eat off. (first to finish wins! food type TBD)
• Winner receives a t-shirt and picture with the championship belt. 

2nd Annual Diaper Dash

Welcome to the 1st Annual Diaper Dash. The Festival Committee is excited to bring this event back! This is a 10 foot crawling dash on wrestling mats! 

Saturday September 19th at 12pm in front of the Milano Stage.

Ages: 0-12months - NO WALKERS

Fee: $5

Must Register!

Heats will be by age.

Top 3 in each heat will receive a ribbon and a prize.

All participants will receive a swag bag. 

Paisan Pedal Push - Midnight Bike Ride

The 2026 Paisan Pedal Push Rules and Regulations

Location: The Collinsville Library Parking Lot - 318 W Main St. Collinsville

Registration Time: 11:00pm on Saturday September 19th 

Course: A leisurely moonlight bike ride through Collinsville. THIS IS NOT A RACE!!

Fee: $15. You will not be guaranteed a shirt or your shirt size if you register after September 1, 2026

RULES:

• Parent or guardian MUST be present throughout the ride for anyone under the age of 18.
• City of Collinsville ordinances requires lights and reflectors on bikes after dark.
• NO alcoholic beverages. IF we suspect you are intoxicated you will be asked to leave and no refund will be issued.
• Bikers must obey the published "Illinois Rules of the Road." This includes obeying all stop lights and stop signs. 
• Children under the age of 16 must ride in the middle of the pack.
• E-Bikes will be in the front of the pack. Some may be asked to assist in blocking the streets. 
• NO Strobe lights or loud music.