Saturday’s Slice Of Saugatuck

Festival Italiano is gone.

Long live Slice of Saugatuck.

For nearly 3 decades, the Italian Fest celebrated “old Saugatuck” — the neighborhood cleaved by the construction of I-95.

Now, as Saugatuck morphs again — with the addition of new apartments, stores and offices — it welcomes a 1st-annual happening.

This Saturday (September 17, 12-3 p.m.), 3 dozen restaurants, shops and galleries will open their doors, and spill onto the streets.

It’s called a “free wine and food tasting, and retail experience,” but there’s also live music, kayaking, fly fishing, tae kwan do, hair braiding, tours of the firehouse and more.

Slice of Saugatuck takes place on and in Riverside Avenue, Railroad Place and Saugatuck Avenue — the area surrounding the former Festival Italiano site of Luciano Park and the railroad parking lot.

St. Anthony’s Hall, the Arrow restaurant, Esposito’s gas station — they’re long gone from Saugatuck.  This summer, the Italian Fest that was created in their memory disappeared too.

But Saugatuck is as vibrant as ever.  This Saturday, a new tradition begins.

(Parking is free.  For a list of merchants, activities and more, click here.)

The firehouse is an important part of Saugatuck -- and it will be featured at Saturday's "Slice" event.