Roast pork sandwiches don’t get the acclaim they deserve in Philadelphia. Sure, it’s not a cheesesteak, but if you’ve ever taken a bite of well seasoned pork with sharp provolone, you’ll realize that its truly a feast for a king. It doesn’t hurt when someone else pays for it either. I can thank my mother for purchasing my first roast pork sandwich during the Italian Market festival 12 years ago. Since then, it has been an annual tradition for me… only now I’m old enough to pay for my own sandwich. Its time to count my pennies because the festival is this weekend! Hurray!

It kicks off Friday evening with the First Annual Pasta dinner served alfresco with tables overflowing with baked ziti, meatballs, sausage and hungry mouths.

Don’t oversleep after the big meal because Saturday is the start of the Halfball tournament with 64 teams ready to smack that halfball way pass the schoolyard. If you prefer moving your body to music instead, there are three stages with everything from foot stomping folk music to the soulful Sound of Philadelphia. Add some free samples from Sorrento Cheese and you’ve got a festival!

Friday night can’t come soon enough!

Sorrento Cheese 9th Street Italian Market Festival
Sat May 17th - Sun May 18th
10am-5pm
www.9thstreetitalianmarketfestival.com