Mount Carmel festival to open

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Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The 14th annual Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Festival opens Thursday and runs through July 29. The four-day event drew more than 12,000 people last year.

There will be a a few new acts this year, including Alfio, an Italian singer who grew up in Australia. Singers Natalie Pinto of New Jersey and Tony Ieluzzi of Canada will also co-headline.

The Mount Carmel Festival adheres strictly to an Italian-only philosophy, said chairman Tony Trolio. Many ethnic festivals include rock and country music, but the Mount Carmel is all about preserving Italian heritage, according to Trolio, and reflects that ideal in its entertainment.

Also performing will be Stefano, of New Castle, Pa.; Avanti Band, Cleveland; Capri Band, Ellwood City, Pa.; Mirella, Pittsburgh; and local acts Jim Frank Trio, Frank Gallo, John Gabriele, Rex Taneri, Franco Simone, Gabriel and Friends, Rocky Monaco, D Major Band, Dom Tocco and Brotherhood, and Paul Rossi’s Plazateers Band.

Daily admission is $4, but a book of four passes can be purchased for $6 in advance at both Rulli Bros. stores; Jimmy’s Italian Foods, Liberty; Trolio’s, Poland; Cornersburg Italian Specialties, Youngstown; and Lariccia’s Italian Marketplace, Boardman.

Parking will be free at several lots in the adjacent downtown area, with free shuttle service to the festival.

Highlights of the festival will include a Little Prince and Princess Pageant at 7 p.m. Thursday; Italian language classes at 7 p.m. nightly; an Italian auction each day; a wine tasting contest at 6 p.m. Friday (call John Beene at 330-792-7028 for information; children’s area; and a dunking booth, with local celebrities, including.

The noon Mass on July 29 will be followed by an outdoor procession in which youths bearing the flags of Italy’s regions will march down Via Mount Carmel to the United Way and then back down the midway, concluding with a concert on the main stage by the Plazateers Band.

The festival will kick off with the annual scholarship breakfast Thursday morning in the church social hall. The winners of scholarships to Youngstown State University this year are Mario Leone and Nisreen El Nobani. Keynote speaker will be Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony Traficanti.