Downtown Italian fest touted as ‘delicioso’

Staff report

YoungstowN

Food, fun and frolicking.

Flora Schneider said there’s no better way to describe the Greater Youngstown Italian Festival.

“It’s meeting old friends, introducing our heritage and culture to heritage in the Valley,” said the festival’s public relations manager. “It’s going to be a wonderful time. The food is great, and the pastries, absolutely delicioso.”

The Italian Fest will celebrate its 25th anniversary from Friday through Sunday with entertainment, rides, contests and plenty of food.

The event attracts 40,000 to 50,000 people annually, said John Rossetti, the festival’s chairman. Rossetti said he hopes the 25th annual celebration will bring even more people to the event.

“People enjoy being downtown and sharing the Italian heritage of the Mahoning Valley,” he said.

Schneider, a former Youngstown school teacher, said about 30 vendors will be on hand to serve Italian favorites such as pasta, sausage and pastries.

“You can come for three days and every night taste a different pasta vendor and compare them and see who really scores,” she said. “Most have been with us forever.”

Schneider said several roads will be blocked off for the three-day event — Federal Street from Phelps to Chestnut streets and Market Street from Boardman to Commerce streets.

Admission is $3 at the gate. Children 12 and younger get in free.