More activities for children added to Warren Italian-American Heritage Festival

Staff report

WARREN

New noontime Saturday activities at this year’s Warren Italian American Heritage Festival are aimed at entertaining the children.

A children’s magic show will be start at noon at the main stage on Mahoning Avenue in front of the log cabin on Courthouse Square.

The Grotto Clowns will make balloon animals as they travel throughout the festival grounds at the end of the magic show, said Phil Sidoti, vice president of the 31st annual downtown attraction.

A new company operated by Steve Lisko will provide the mechanical rides this year, and an interesting new backdrop will be used behind the main stage this year, he added.

The backdrop, 22 feet by 10 feet, is being provided by local photographer David Allen.

The festival begins with a 4 p.m. ribbon cutting on Thursday followed by the tiny king and queen contest at 6:30 p.m. and the Miss Italian pageant at 8 p.m.

With lots of great Italian food and music, the festival is popular with families and groups wanting to have family reunions and class reunions, Sidoti said.

“They see people they haven’t seen in 20 years,” he said.

Joey Naples of Girard, a teacher in the Girard Local Schools, will be guest speaker for the kickoff breakfast, 9:30 a.m. Friday in the Hippodrome, 150 High St. NE, just off Courthouse Square.

Grand marshal for the 2 p.m. Sunday parade will be Leo Delgarbino, owner of Leo’s Ristorante on East Market Street in Howland.

The festival committee asks for a $3 donation from each person attending. Among the items the festival uses the money for is $1,000 scholarships to nine area students.