Kite festival returns to MetroParks Farm

Kite festival returnsto MetroParks Farm
CANFIELD -- Ohio's largest kite festival will be April 22 at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm.
Members of the Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites and Fly Pittsburgh will display their collections and flying skills from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will also judge games and contests for the public and share their knowledge with visitors. Vendors will be on hand for anyone wishing to repair or upgrade their kites or collections.
The contests will offer separate divisions for handcrafted and manufactured kites. In the handcrafted division, prizes will be awarded based on craftsmanship, creativity and flying skills; and for the largest kite; smallest kite; and for Ben's kite -- the kite most like the one used by Ben Franklin in his famous experiments.
Manufacturers kites will be judged for best modifications/decorations, longest tail and novice sport flying. Sport flying involves using the kite to "draw" figures in the air, such as a figure 8 or a circle, and judging is based on skill and precision. All kites must fly to be eligible for judging.
Wind sprints (a race in which the wind does the work) will take place again for four age groups. A group launch will start the day.
For more information, call (330) 740-7126. The MetroParks Farm is on Route 46 across from the Canfield Fairgrounds.
Ballet receives grant
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Verizon Foundation recently awarded a $500 grant to the New Castle Regional Ballet Company in recognition of the ballet's contribution and dedication to the community.
The grant was awarded under the Verizon Volunteers Incentive Program through the efforts of Verizon employee Karen McBeth. Under the incentive program's guidelines, McBeth volunteered more than 50 hours for the ballet. In an effort to further encourage employees to volunteer, and in recognition of those who have, Verizon has made a commitment to the community to increase the value of next year's grants to $750.
Italian Festivalseeks contestants
YOUNGSTOWN -- The 2006 Greater Youngstown Italian Fest will be July 28-30 at the Canfield Fairgrounds. This year's headline entertainer will be singer Al Martino, along with the Carmen Mico Orchestra. Fest organizers are still looking for participants for in this year's activities. For more information, contact the following:
Italian American Idol Contest, call Lisa at (330) 686-2486; Miss Youngstown Italian Fest, call Anthony Julian at (330) 799-8184; Little King and Queen Contest, call Brook O'Neill at (330) 727-3184; Grape Stomping, call Ron Ditullo at (330) 758-9624; Home Made Wine-Making Contest, call Vince Mastromatteo at (330) 519-4102; Morra Contest, call Tom Orsini at (330) 533-7972; Food Vendors & amp; Crafts, call John Rossetti at (330) 793-9602; Man and Woman of the Year, send nominee information to Gerry Ricciutti, 265 Deer Trail Ave., Canfield.
Brass quintet concert
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- The Westminster College Faculty Brass Quintet will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Orr Auditorium.
"Along with a variety of quintet music, the quintet will perform two of the pinnacle, and most challenging, works written for this genre, Malcom Arnold's 'Quintet' and the 'Somete' composed by Eugene Bozza," said Dr. Tad Greig, director of bands at Westminster College and member of this group. The quintet will also perform the classic "Scherzo" from John Cheetham and Arthur Frackenpohl's "Quintet No. 5."
The quintet includes: Mark Antonich, tuba instructor and director of bands at Lowellville (Ohio) High School on the tuba; Robert Cole, horn, music technology, instrument repair instructor, on the horn; Andrew Erb, trumpet instructor, trumpet; Greig on trombone; and Nicholas Oleako, director of bands at Poland (Ohio) High School, on trumpet.
The concert is free and open to the public. Contact the Westminster College Department of Music at (724) 946-7270 for more information.
Southern gospel show
HARTVILLE -- Hartville Kitchen will host a dinner concert May 4, featuring Gold City Quartet.
For more than 20 years, Gold City has been synonymous with Southern gospel music. As one of the most-awarded groups ever, this traditional male quartet has taken its music around the globe.
Ticket prices include both the concert and the dinner. Reserved seating is $32, and general seating is $27. Buy tickets at the Hartville Kitchen offices or call (330) 877-9353.