Fest of Italy: Mt. Carmel festival

Mount Carmel event to honor immigrants

STAFF REPORT

111The committee is seeking entries for the inaugural parade. The parade route starts from central square and proceeds east on Federal Street and up Watt Street to Via Mount Carmel in Youngstown.

Tony Trolio, festival chairman, says the committee is seeking antique cars, bands, clowns, high school marching bands, political and business vehicles, Italian clubs, churches, Boy and Girl scouts, trolley cars, horse-drawn units and other entrants. Anyone interested in being a part of the parade should contact Dave Venerose, parade chairman, at (330) 750-0440.

The festival committee is going all out to make this year’s festival one to remember. The lineup features performers from Australia, Jay & Gisele, as the headline act for the event, along with Detroit’s Pino Marelli, and vocalist Graziana from Atlantic City, N.J.

The balance of the scheduled entertainment includes Mirella Volpe and The Cavaliers Band from Pittsburgh, Capri Band, Jim Frank Trio, Frank Gallo, Rocky Chirchiglia, John Gabrielle, Rex Taneri, Franco Simone, Montage Band and Dom Tocco The Brotherhood.

The Little Prince and Princess Pageant is seeking boys and girls ages 6 to 9 for this year’s contest. As in the past, entries are limited to the first 12 boys and 12 girls that apply. All the children receive trophies and assorted gifts.

A photo must be included with the applications and a little information about each child. The entries will be featured in local newspapers and a program book. Deadline for entries is June 15. For applications, call Dolly Crump at (330) 549-9386.

Three $1,000 Youngstown State University scholarships will be awarded. The third scholarship will be awarded thanks to the Foltz Construction Co. Applicants, who must have some connection to Mount Carmel, should call Terry Fullem at (330) 799-0570 for information.

The festival will kick off with its annual opening day scholarship breakfast Thursday by presenting the three $1,000 scholarships. WYTV 33’s Bob Hannon will serve as master of ceremonies. YSU officials will be on hand as well as other Valley dignitaries.

There will be many new attractions this year, Trolio said. In addition to the parade, there will be a homemade wine contest, a “Closest to The Original Brier Hill Pizza” contest, an expanded children’s area with clowns, magic shows nightly, face painting, pony and train rides and games.

Another feature will be the addition of the area’s three Italian festivals as tents will be provided to the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest, Brier Hill Italian Fest and Warren’s Italian-American festival.

Their organizations will have representatives on hand to promote their upcoming events and display information on their history.

The 40-by-120-foot tent will again be featured on the midway. This tent along with the numerous food tents, and the social hall, will enable festival organizers to shield more than 3,000 people from the sun or rain at one time.

There will be plenty of parking and security to handle the expected crowds. A portion of the parish parking lot will be used as well as the parking lots at United Way, Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church, IBM Building, Levinson Tire, Advantage Vinyl, P&L Heating and the YMCA lot.

There will be buses and a fleet of golf carts to shuttle the crowd, free of charge. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended the Italian Festival downtown.

Daily admission is $3, or a four-day pass can be bought in advance for $5. Senior citizen discounts are available. Tickets can be bought from any committee member.