Thursday, July 30, 2015
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
The Greater Youngstown Italian Fest continues to extend a welcoming hand to the downtown crowd.
The annual street festival is this weekend and – continuing a tradition – the food vendors will get an early start by opening for lunch Friday. This year, the lunch rush will morph into an early happy hour with the band Punk Willie performing from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the wine and beer tent.
“We’d like to keep the young crowd down there,” said John Rossetti, festival chairman. “We’re trying to draw in more of the downtown business crowd after hours, to get some people out of the buildings for a sneak peek, and maybe come back and stay for the whole festival.”
The festival, in its 30th year, will be spread over six blocks on all sides of Central Square, and will feature more than 40 food and merchandise vendors, contests and amusement rides. But the anchors are the two giant tents on Federal Street, one on each side of the Square. The Roma tent is the focal point for traditional Italian entertainment, which will include headliner Aaron Caruso.
“He is a great singer,” said Rossetti. “He just finished at the Italian festival in Milwaukee, which is the largest in the U.S.”
Caruso will sing Saturday from 8:45 to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 7 to 8:15 p.m.
The wine and beer tent, on East Federal Street, caters to the younger crowd, especially as the evening wears on. Redline will perform there from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, and Bustin’ Loose from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday. In keeping with tradition, the House Band will close the festival Sunday night, performing from 8 to 11 p.m.
“Sunday night is always strong for the festival,” said Rossetti.
Admission is $4 (free for children 12 and under, with parent) at the gate, although it’s free to get in Friday for lunch.
The festival formally begins at 5 p.m. Friday with opening ceremonies hosted by crooner Steve Fazzini, who will continue as a strolling street serenader throughout the three-day event.
The man and woman of the year will be recognized at this time. They are Joseph “Red” Mazzocca Sr. of Campbell, and Youngstown native Rose V. Tallerino. Mazzocca is the host of the “Musica D’Italia” radio show on WKTL-FM, and Tallerino, 94, is still very active as the matriarch of her family.
The Miss Italian Fest pageant will follow the opening ceremony.
The Little King and Queen pageant will be Sunday at 2:45 p.m. in the Roma tent.
Once again, the festival will award $1,000 scholarships to five Youngstown State University students and one bricklayers apprentice.
ITALIAN FEST
Here is the schedule of entertainment for the festival:
FRIDAY
Wine and beer tent
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: John Gabriele
3 to 4:30 p.m.: Punk Willie
5 to 7:30 p.m.: Rex Taneri
7 p.m.: Morra tournament
8 to 11 p.m.: Redline
Roma Stage
5 to 6 p.m.: Opening ceremonies
6 to 8 p.m.: Miss Italian Fest Pageant
8:30 to 11 p.m.: The Ovations, with Marc Pupino
SATURDAY
Wine and beer tent
4 to 6 p.m.: Jim Frank Combo
6 to 6:30 p.m.: Pasta-eating contest
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: The Butch Nichols Band
9 to 11:30 p.m.: Bustin Loose
Roma Stage
4 to 6:10 p.m.: Polka Mass with Jack Vasko
6:30 to 8:15 p.m.: Del Sinchak
8:45 to 10: p.m.: Aaron Caruso
SUNDAY
Wine and beer tent
2 to 4:30 p.m.: Frank Gallo
5 to 7:30 p.m.: Rocco Monaco
8 to 11 p.m.: The House Band
Roma Stage
Noon to 1 p.m.: Roman Catholic Mass
1 to 2:30 p.m.: Lowellville Band
2:45 to 4 p.m.: Little King and Queen Contest
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Avanti Band with Tony Midea
7 to 8:15 p.m.: Aaron Caruso
8:45 to 10:45 p.m.: Dominic Tocco
10:45 p.m.: Grand raffle drawing