Residents gearing up for annual Italian fest planned Aug. 12-14

Planning for the annual summer festival takes a year.
WARREN -- Preparations are nearing the final stages for the 21st annual Warren Italian-American Festival, which will be on Courthouse Square downtown Aug. 12-14.
The festival committee's goal is to promote and perpetuate Italian culture and heritage throughout the community.
The biggest part of this effort is the annual festival put together by about 100 members who share the common pride of being Italian.
A year's worth of planning and preparation draws crowds from all over the state who enjoy the festivities that include entertainment and food.
The festival begins with a kick-off breakfast at 9 a.m. For ticket information, call (330) 507-3567 or (330) 550-7877.
"The opening breakfast is going to be in the beer tent this year," explained Alida Lendvay, a board member. Previously it had been held at the Hippodrome eatery.
"The cultural center also will be on the grounds, not the inn where it's been the last couple of years," she said. She was referring to the Comfort Inn, formerly the Park Hotel, on the square.
The idea behind moving these events to the tent and grounds is to try and draw more people into the festival proper, and to keep all the events together, she explained.
The streets surrounding the square are West Market, Park, Mahoning and High.
Also, applications are being taken for the Miss Italiam Pageant taking place Aug. 12. For more information, call Dolores Procopio, (330) 393-1200.