A taste of Italy: Warren Italian festival begins

A taste of Italy: Italian festival begins

WARREN — Roads in the city are blocked off. Police circle the perimeter. People walk by to see what is happening.

No trouble. It turns out there is a festival in town. The Warren Italian American Heritage Festival kicked off this evening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

During the day, the vendors were finishing setting up when the sky got dark, and shortly after the rain came pouring down. Some of the 80 or so vendors, like Kathy Scarpaci, stayed dry.

She was under a tent setting up produce and various spaghetti products. She said it is her third year at the festival, and she is giving out free samples of wine to people who are interested in making their own homemade wine.

Mayor Michael O’Brien, who was under the tent’s protection, said he has been watching the weather forecast and it looks good for this weekend. He said he doesn’t think the rain will stop people from coming to the festival.

“The festival is on everyone’s calendar in the city,” he said.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.