HURLEY -- Hurley's Silver Street will come alive with Italian heritage on Saturday when Festivale Italiano begins at 11 a.m.

The annual event is sponsored by the Hurley Area Chamber of Commerce.

"It's all about the food," said chamber president Char Mussatti. "It's going to be better than ever this year because of the interest in the historic downtown area and our recently completed beautification project. People want to spend time in their downtown."

There'll be music, street dancing and outdoor dining throughout the day.

The Ranch Boys country and western band will entertain the crowd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the Nort' Echo (polka) Band from 2 to 5 p.m. Marty's Goldenaires drum and bugle corps will perform at 5:30 p.m., with music by Johnny Trash from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Hurley High School cheerleaders will staff a face-painting booth beginning at 11 a.m., and there'll be kids games with the Hurley Lucky Clovers 4-H Club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A small fee will be charged for the games.

The Hurley Fire Department will display its fire truck beginning at 11 a.m. Firefighters will demonstrate the department's extraction equipment.

Adding a little flavor to the Italian heritage will be spaghetti and watermelon eating contests at 3 p.m.

The Iron Nugget, Joany's Sidekicks at the Eagle Bluff Golf Course, the Iron Horse, Bonshell, Hurley Coffee Company and Freddie's Old Time Saloon will feature specials during the day.

With 50/50 raffle tickets being sold from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the winning ticket will be drawn at 9 p.m. at the chamber office.