NILES EXPO CENTER Eastwood Mall complex to host three new festivals

A promoter will try to create the world's largest bowl of spaghetti.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Rubino Productions will hold three festivals at the Niles Expo Center this season.
With the Mahoning Valley Rib Burn-Off running June 24-27 outside Eastwood (formerly Cafaro) Stadium, it brings to four the number of festivals at the Eastwood Mall complex.
During a Monday press conference, the Miami-based company said it will hold the Bada Bing, an Italian food and music festival June 10-13; Rock'n Blues'n Cruise, a rock music, motorcycle and muscle car gathering; and the Octobeer Festival on the weekend of Sept. 23-26.
Bada Bing
Promoter Tony Rubino said the Bada Bing is not intended to interfere with the Warren Italian Fest held later in the summer.
Rubino said the Bada Bing is being held here because of the large number of those of Italian heritage. The event will be marketed from Cleveland to Pittsburgh.
The weekend will include boccie ball clinics and competition, Godfather impersonators with $200 in prizes, amusement rides, amateur wine tasting and beauty and pizza-eating contests. Local pizza shops will vie in competition for "Best Pizza in the Valley" and a $1,000 first-place award.
On Saturday, money in small bills will be dropped on those attending.
Rubino said he will attempt to create the world's largest bowl of spaghetti with 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of pasta. That will be followed by female spaghetti wrestling in the bowl.
Rubino's admission to the festivals will be $5 for adults, which includes shows and rides, $3 for seniors and free for children age 5 and under.
Other festivals
Rock'n Blues'n Cruise will include 30 area bands playing rock and blues music, a motorcycle night and hot rods and muscle cars.
The Octobeer Festival, Rubino explained, will include German and Eastern European food and beer, ethnic entertainment and rides.
Depending on the turnouts, Rubino said he hopes to make the festivals annual events.
"People will let us know if they succeed," the promoter asserted.
Dominic Baragona of Niles, president of Mid-America Events, said his rib festival will be the weekend of June 24-27.
This is the 19th year for the barbecue that attracts 40,000 to 50,000 annually.
This year's headliner bands will be Spin Doctors on June 25 and Saliva on June 26. Also, between 20 and 40 area bands will perform.
Baragona said the burn-off will help Rubino's events because his is an already known event to the public.
Baragona said he will help Rubino with his events because of his experience in putting on the burn-off and concerts at the stadium.
yovich@vindy.com