Warren Italian fest to have new offering: fried ravioli

Staff report

WARREN

If you’ve never tried fried ravioli, this is your chance.

Phil Sidoti, chairman of the 26th annual Warren Italian-American Heritage Festival, which begins today, says this year’s festival will feature fried ravioli and lots of old favorites.

“They’re delicious,” Sidoti said of the new offering this year in the cookie tent. The item is breaded, fried and available with a tomato sauce for dipping.

The festival will be in Courthouse Square through Sunday.

Events that are returning this year include the Tiny King and Queen Pageant at 5 p.m. today, the Miss Italian Pageant at 6:30 p.m. today and pasta sauce contest at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Festival organizers ask for a $3 donation for admission.

The festival usually draws around 45,000 people each year, Sidoti said, but attendance last year was down because of an air show at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and bad weather.