Friday, July 25, 2008
By RICHARD L. BOCCIA
Families gathered at the annual festival to share food and culture.
YOUNGSTOWN — With so many food choices, from Italian-American comfort foods like pepper and egg sandwiches and fried bologna to “Soul-cilian” choices like barbecue ribs, how did people decide what to eat at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian festival?
While the food was important, it was a sense of community that defined the annual festival, which this year took on the added significance of Mount Carmel’s 100th year. The people behind the food counters got a great view of the crowds.
“They get a very nice crowd of people,” said Guy Hughes of Newton Falls, owner of Guy’s Award Winning BBQ Sauce. He’s served ribs and chicken at the festival for years, though they’re not exactly Italian-inspired.
“We’ve got what you call ‘Soul-cilian’ food,” he said.
Besides food, there were pony and train rides for children and jewelry and raffles for the adults. But for several of the vendors, especially the ones serving food, working at the event was more than just business.
For John Iandimarino, the fun part of his business is meeting people; the other part is staying up until 1 a.m. the night before an event like the festival cutting onions and peppers.
“I’ve been doing this all my life,” he said, and the Austintown restaurateur came out of retirement so he could continueserving what he calls a taste of the old Italian neighborhood.
Master of ceremonies Joe Naples said he tries to eat something from each vendor over the festival’s four-day run.
“It’s a good way to spend a weekend,” Naples said.
For some, Mount Carmel is a nice place to spend a lifetime. Theresa Detoro said she was raised in the church, and she volunteers at the festival.
“Everybody just comes together, even if they don’t belong to the church anymore. You get to meet them back here,” she said.
Helen and Tony Williot have attended every night of the festival for the past two years. The couple, originally from the West Side but who relocated to Boardman, are regulars at the event.
Helen loves the great food, but to her the event means more.
“I just love the festivals — the music, the people, the food. For one or two days, everyone is happy. You forget all your problems,” she said.
While Giovanni Tocco said the pasta sauce isn’t quite the same as his mother’s, it’s still good. For the Poland native, there are bigger reasons to attend.
“My family’s from here,” Tocco said simply.
His brother is a member of the church, and his father played the main stage as part of Dom Tocco and The Brotherhood.
Kelsey and Abbey Kunce traveled from Springfield for Italian delights. Abbey had cannoli and Kelsey had cavatelli.
“The food’s really good,” Kelsey said. Her sister added that they always attend.
Tony Trolio, festival chairman, hoped to see 15,000 to 20,000 people over the weekend. Nearly 4,000 came through Thursday, he said. The festival continues until Sunday, on the church grounds, which are at Via Mount Carmel and Rayen Avenue.
The violent weather that ripped through Youngstown on Tuesday destroyed nine tents at the festival, which Trolio said were replaced by borrowing from other vendors. Everything was ready to go Thursday.
His goal is to raise $60,000 from the festival to donate to the church this year.
rboccia@vindy.com