Mount Carmel fest is like dinner with Italian grandma

YOUNGSTOWN

Las Vegas has nothing on Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

So says Angela Tortora, a native of Alliance who has lived in Las Vegas since 1992, yet makes an effort every year to come to the Italian Festival at the church, which will wrap up its 15th year today.

“I mark this on my calendar to make sure I’m at this festival,” said Tortora, who said she has come for several years in a row.

She makes the effort because of the family atmosphere at the festival, which she said cannot be found in Las Vegas.

She said she especially likes the polenta and the Italian sausage with sauce.

The food at the festival is far better than in Las Vegas, Tortora said.

“It’s more authentic,” she said.

Mike Iacobucci of Boardman was also enjoying the food Saturday night. He said he makes it a point to attend each year.

“It’s the best, cleanest festival in all of Youngstown,” Iacobucci said.

Inside the hall is a display of what is used to make Italian food, interspersed with pictures of families cooking and enjoying their food or wine. Liz Mirone, who was also the church’s Italian Woman of the Year and is also on the festival committee, said they wanted to give a feel for people of having Sunday dinner with their grandmother.

The parishioners of the church also made a brand new cookbook for this year’s festival.

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.