Salem’s Grande Parade to coincide with Italian fest

Approximately 80 units will take part in the parade that is a tradition in the city.

SALEM — The Salem Grande Parade is back this year.

Five marching bands will march through the downtown starting at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The bands include the Salem, United, Leetonia, and East Palestine high school marching bands and the East Liverpool Alumni Band.

Audrey Null, the executive director of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, said it has hosted the parade every summer under a variety of names for just over 30 years.

The parade this year will coincide with the Italian Festival, which runs from Friday through Sunday. It’s the second year for the Italian Festival.

The parade is the city’s answer to the 2008 parade that was extremely short on marching bands.

Early last summer, the chamber discovered that students were either vacationing, at band camp or were otherwise not around.

The result was a parade short on music and long on politicians tossing candy to the crowd.

Null said this year’s route will start at East State Street and North Union Avenue. The parade will go west on East State Street through the downtown, turn north on Ellsworth Avenue, and disband at the Broadway Plaza.

Joe Radin, the president of the Salem Retail and Business Association which is part of the city’s chamber, said Wednesday he had just received a sizable check for the festival from a group that didn’t want to be named.

Radin had some advice for people entering the baking contest at the Italian Festival.

“Bring two of each entry,” he said.

One will be tasted by the judges to determine the winner, and the second will be raffled off.

The festival and city may actually benefit from the slow economy this year because the events are free, Radin said.

The festival will coincide with what is being called the “Third Friday” in the city. Various businesses stay open late and may have activities. The DH Galleries will be having a new show, he added.

Mayor Jerry Wolford will be on hand to start the festival, Radin added.

The main stage will be in the city parking lot on East Pershing Street across from the former Timberlanes.

Penn Avenue will be closed to traffic from East State State to East Pershing Street during the festival.

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East Pershing will be open to traffic, but Penn Avenue will also be closed south of Pershing to the post office.

FRIDAY

6 p.m. Double elimination Bocce Tournament, Salem Italian Club, 250 Penn Ave.

9 p.m.: “Ruckus,” a live band, Salem Italian Club, 250 Penn Ave.

SATURDAY

2 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies and Blessings.

2:15 p.m.: Italian Citizens of the Year.

2-4 p.m.: Stormn Normn.

3 p.m.: Little Miss and Mister Italian Pageant.

4 p.m.: Gina Martini.

6-7:30 p.m.: The Grande Parade on East State Street.

7:30 - 10 p.m.: Dick Tady Orchestra.

SUNDAY

Noon: Music by Jukebox Joe.

1 p.m.: Pizza eating contest for kids and adults.

2 p.m.: Spaghetti eating contest for kids and adults.

2 - 4 p.m.: Entries can be submitted for the baked goods raffle.

3 - 5 p.m.: Rocky Chirchiglia Band.

5:15 p.m.: Raffle of baked goods.

6 - 8 p.m.: Srgo Brothers perform in Waterworth Park.

Source: Italian Festival organizers