The McAlester Italian Festival

05/14/2026

PART 3 of 3: ICYMI – Day 2 of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival 🇮🇹🍝😂

If there’s one event guaranteed to create smiles, laughter, and unforgettable photos, it’s the Kid’s Spaghetti Eating Contest!

Some came with a strategy. Some went all-in. Some somehow ended up wearing more spaghetti than they actually ate. 😂

The final day of the festival wrapped up with incredible memories, huge crowds, and another successful celebration of food, family, music, and tradition. Thank you all the kids for participating and bringing so many smiles to our faces.

The festival may be over for this year, but these photos help us relive every moment. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, performed, sponsored, and helped make the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival another unforgettable weekend. We already can’t wait for next year!

05/14/2026

PART 2 of 3: ICYMI – Day 2 of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival 🇮🇹🍝🎶

The sights, sounds, and smells of Day 2 were hard to beat!

From amazing Italian food and favorite festival treats to outstanding entertainment throughout the day, Saturday had something for everyone. Whether you came for the music, the atmosphere, or the food lines, there was no shortage of excitement across downtown McAlester.

One of the highlights of the day was the annual Sauce Competition, where contestants put their recipes and bragging rights on the line.

Competition was fierce, and the judges definitely had a tough job! Congratulations to our winners:

🥇 1st place - Christy (Buckley) Sottosanti

🥈 2nd place - Lynsay Jordan

🥉 3rd place - Cindy Barr

Take a look back at some of the flavors and fun from the final day.

05/14/2026

PART 1 of 3: ICYMI – Day 2 of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival 🇮🇹❤️

The final day of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival may be in the books, but the memories are still fresh! We’re taking a look back through the photos and reliving all the excitement from an incredible Saturday.

Day 2 kicked off with one of the festival’s favorite traditions — our Crowning Ceremonies! Congratulations again to Michael and Bonnie Maisano, our 2026 Re and Regina. Thank you to everyone who participated and represented the spirit and tradition of this long-running community celebration.

From smiling faces and proud families to unforgettable moments on stage, these photos captured the beginning of an amazing final day.

Stay tuned… because there was still plenty more food, fun and excitement ahead! 🍝👑

05/11/2026

How amazing were Analisa & John!?!?! ❤️🇮🇹 We loved having them back at the festival this year! They have been like family to us. 🍝

05/11/2026

Michael and Bonnie Maisano were named the 2026 McAlester Italian Festival Re and Regina during this year’s 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival, Friday and Saturday, May 8-9 at the Southeast

05/11/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from the McAlester Italian Festival! 💐🇮🇹

Today, we celebrate all the amazing moms, grandmothers, and mother figures who bring families together — just like great food, tradition, and community do every year at the McAlester Italian Festival. ❤️

Thank you for the love, support, recipes, memories, and traditions you pass down through generations. We hope your day was filled with family, laughter, and maybe even a little pasta! 🍝

Buona Festa della Mamma from all of us at the McAlester Italian Festival!

05/09/2026

It’s a beautiful day for the second day of the Italian Festival ☀️
Come have some fun and eat some good food! 🍝🎡

05/09/2026

🇮🇹 ICYMI (Part 2): More Great Moments from Day 1 of the McAlester Italian Festival! 🇮🇹

We had way too many great photos not to share more! 🙌

The first day of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival brought amazing crowds, delicious Italian food, outstanding entertainment, and another great reminder of why this event is such a treasured tradition in McAlester.

📸👇 Here’s Part 2 of our Day 1 highlights!

Day 2 is happening TODAY and there’s still plenty of fun ahead:

🛍 Vendors open at 10am
👑 Crowning Ceremonies at 10:30am
🍝 Food service begins at 11am
🏆 Sauce Competition entries accepted until NOON
🍝 Kid’s Spaghetti Eating Contest starts at 2pm
🎶 Live music all day, including Analisa & John, the Italian Duo, from 12pm–1:30pm

Food tents and vendors are planned to stay open until 7pm, but some food booths may close earlier if they sell out due to demand.

Come enjoy another great day at one of Oklahoma’s favorite festivals! 🇮🇹❤️

McAlester Tourism
Oklahoma Tourism
Visit Choctaw Country

05/09/2026

🇮🇹 ICYMI (Part 1): Day 1 of the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival Was Incredible! 🇮🇹

What an amazing kickoff to the 54th Annual McAlester Italian Festival in McAlester, Oklahoma! From the incredible food and live entertainment to the crowds enjoying rides, crafts and making lifetime memories, Day 1 was packed with fun, laughter, and Italian Festival tradition. ❤️🍝🎶

📸👇 Check out Part 1 of our photos from an unforgettable opening day!

And the fun continues TODAY for Day 2!

🛍 Vendors open at 10am
👑 Crowning Ceremonies begin at 10:30am
🍝 Food lines open at 11am
🏆 Sauce Competition entry deadline is NOON
🍝 Kid’s Spaghetti Eating Contest begins at 2pm
🎶 Enjoy live music throughout the day, including Analisa & John, the Italian Duo, from 12pm–1:30pm

Vendors and food tents are scheduled to remain open until 7pm, however some food vendors may sell out earlier depending on demand—so come hungry and come early!

McAlester Tourism
Oklahoma Tourism
Visit Choctaw Country

05/09/2026