CANFIELD Opera comes to Italian Festival

Organizers are working to attract children to the annual celebration. By NORMAN LEIGH VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER CANFIELD -- Organizers of this year's Greater Youngstown Italian Fest added a new ingredient to the event's mix of ethnic staples -- opera. Italian opera, of course. The melodic strains of Puccini and Rossini arias mixed Saturday with the sound of Italian pop music and the smell of pizza and stromboli on the Canfield Fairgrounds midway. The fairgrounds are the site of the 18th annual celebration of Italian culture, which concludes tonight with a grand finale of fireworks, set for 10:30 p.m. Performers from the Youngstown State University music school performed opera solos and duets with a piano accompanist. "It's such a good tie-in," festival chairman Mike Pinciaro said of introducing the high-brow entertainment to the four-day event's program. "People appreciate good music. Good music speaks to you. It doesn't matter what language or whether it's rock or classical," said Dr. Misook Yun, assistant professor of voice at YSU. Yun hosted the event and performed two pieces from Puccini's "Madame Butterfly." Draws a crowd The music certainly spoke to the dozens who gathered near the fairgrounds grandstand to hear the performers hit the high and low notes. As the nearly one-hour performance progressed, the crowd grew larger and peppered its applause with a few "bravos." Adding opera wasn't the only change to this year's Italian Fest. Pinciaro said they made certain there was plenty for children to do. He explained organizers are keen on drawing children to the festival. It's important to introduce the next generation to Italian culture, Pinciaro said. With that in mind, organizers allowed children to play boccie ball. "They love it," Pinciaro said. Also available were clown shows and pony rides. Turned out well Overall, Pinciaro said he's pleased with this year's Italian Fest. This marks the seventh year it's been held at the fairgrounds. Previously it was conducted off Shady Run Road in Youngstown. But lack of adequate parking became a problem. Pinciaro said about 10,000 to 12,000 people had attended the event as of Saturday afternoon. Today is typically a big day for the event. About 400 usually attend the Sunday Mass, set for 12:15 p.m. A pasta-eating contest is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Various entertainers will perform on the Roma Stage and in the Dance Hall, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The fireworks also are a major draw, Pinciaro said. This year the 10:30 p.m. pyrotechnics show will feature fiery ground displays depicting U.S. and Italian flags, he said.