Y'town busting out with events

Outdoor concerts are scheduled in August downtown.
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Greater Youngstown Italian Festival is returning this August to downtown Youngstown.
The festival moved to the Canfield Fairgrounds a few years ago but will have its 21st annual celebration on and near East and West Federal streets Aug. 3-5.
The theme of this year's festival is "Where It All Began -- Downtown Youngstown." The event will feature music, food vendors, displays, games, rides and contests including homemade wine, pasta eating and grape stomping.
Outreach
It is one of many downtown events announced Wednesday by Claire Maluso, the city's director of events, special projects and community outreach. Her job was formerly known as the Federal Plaza director.
A String of Pearls, a local affiliate of the Red Hat Society, will have a luncheon with activities and entertainment April 25 at the DeYor Performing Arts Center on West Federal Street.
Also, there are Friday concerts outside Buffalo Wild Wings on East Federal Street, the 16th annual Brier Hill Italian Fest on Calvin and Victoria streets Aug. 16-19 as well as parties and events at various downtown locations.
The Chevrolet Centre and the new restaurants and taverns are attracting people to the downtown area who haven't been here before, Maluso said.
"For a while, we were in the darkness, but the dark side is gone," she said. "I see us moving forward."
It's been about 20 years since the schedule of downtown events was this large, Maluso said.