“When the moon hits your eye … Like a big pizza pie, that’s amore.”

This lyric opens the famous movie “Moonstruck,” starring Cher and Nicholas Cage. It also is all I can think of when the Butler Italian Festival graces our streets every year.

I was recently in conversation with a friend about trying food from different countries, and we excluded Italy from our list. Not because we dislike it, but because Italian food has become so ingrained in our American culture we often forget it originated across the pond.

Newsflash: Butler has not forgotten.

And so, we celebrate!

If you have not attended an Italian-themed festival, you’re missing out. I like to think of it as the best-smelling street fair Butler has to offer. It’s a great way to take a stroll, grab a slice, hear some music and meet up with your friends. You know what I always say: There’s nothing better than when the event shuts down the street.

I’d also venture that the sheer size of this fair, which stretches from Cunningham Street to Wayne Street, is comparable to the actual Little Italy in NYC (at least, to my untrained eye).

If you attend Italian Days, you also open the door to exploring a bunch of other events. So, if it wasn’t in your plans before, it is now.

Take a look at what else is going on!

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat rib dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday courtesy of the Penn-Glade Lions Club, at 150 Church Road, Penn Township. Entry is $25 per dinner and includes potatoes, baked beans and more. Donate a nonperishable food item for a chance at a free dinner. Call 724-586-7660 with any questions.

Taste some of the best food of your life during Butler Italian Days, which runs from 5 p.m. Friday to 10 p.m. Saturday on Main Street. It’s free to walk about and hear the live music that’ll be playing. For more information, visit butleritaliandays.com.

Get some Full Moon Forest Therapy in the form of meditation and a tea ceremony at 8 p.m. Friday at Glade Run Lake, Lake Road, Valencia. This unique, guided experience costs $30 for those 12 and up. Register by visiting www.foresttherapywithlori.com.

See the Old Stone House and Foltz School House during a guided History Hike to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday. The hike starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at 2865 William Flynn Highway, Slippery Rock. RSVP via email to but@northcountrytrail.org.

Students between the ages of 8 to 14 are invited to make their own “pizza” the Harmony Museum’s tomato pie party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the garden, 218 Mercer St. The museum will be using the 19th century oven. Call 724-452-734 to reserve a spot.

Enjoy a free concert by The Joe & Jackie Show at noon Saturday in Diamond Park, near Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s building, during Butler Italian Days. Stop into 259 S. Main St. for a chance to win concert tickets and prizes. Visit butlersymphony.org for details.

The 24-Hour Play Project is a chance to laugh out loud to four plays, all written and rehearsed in a day. Tickets are pay what you can, and the fun begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Hobnob Theatre’s studio, 134 S. Main St.

Poolside Pups at Alameda Park, 184 Alameda Park Road, is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $10 per pup, and you must bring proof of current vaccinations. Register by visiting bcpr.recdesk.com under “Programs.”

Dance to country and classic rock from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the American Legion Post 778 Hall, 150 Legion Memorial Drive in Butler Township. This dance is open to anyone and costs $10 admission. Bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Questions can be directed to 724-496-9159.

If you are interested in your event being featured in Miller Minutes, please email information to news@butlereagle.com.

Molly Miller is an Eagle correspondent.