Brier Hill Italian Fest set Aug. 20-23

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Experience a “touch of Italy” when you attend the 24th annual Brier Hill Italian Fest planned Thursday through August 23 on Calvin and Victoria streets.

Organizers welcome everyone “back to the old neighborhood,” where the festival is touted as the “longest continuously running Italian fest in the city of Youngstown.”

At the event, those attending will see old friends on the street where they grew up.

Food vendors will recreate the aroma of “Sunday sauce” simmering and wafting out of windows of homes in the Italian neighborhood.

This is the home of Brier Hill pizza – red sauce topped with green peppers and Romano cheese.

Claire Maluso is event coordinator and co-chairperson. For information, call her at 330-286-3584.

The opening ceremony will be at 7 p.m. Friday on the main stage on Calvin Street. Featured will be the man of the year award, a tribute to ITAM Post 21 Veterans Memorial Wall and recognization of dignitaries.

A mainstay of the festival for many years was Tony Naples, who was born in Brier Hill and never left. He attended every day of the festival and always was there for the closing music with his cousin’s band, Dominic Tocco and Brotherhood. He was known for his love of fishing on Mosquito Lake and in Canada and appreciation for old cars including his 1964 and ’67 Ford Galaxies. He was a member of Ytown Street Cruisers and a founding member of Outcast Car Club.

The 2014 festival was his last; he died last October.