Mount Carmel Italian fest is around corner

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Festival will return this week for four days of food, culture and continuous entertainment in the tent stage.

Now in its 19th year, the festival takes place on the grounds of OLMC Basilica, which is next to Choffin Career Center, on the hill next to downtown. Admission is $4.

Entertainers in the tent stage will include singer Nick Fiasco, who performs Sinatra and Dean Martin songs, as well as other favorites; Dominic Tocco and Brotherhood; and Mirella the Musician.

The festival will open Thursday at 5 p.m. The Little Prince and Princess Pageant, chaired by Dolly Crump, will begin at 7 p.m. in the social hall.

The official opening ceremony will take place Friday at 7 p.m. in the social hall, and will include the Man and Woman of the Year presentations. Tony Pondillo is Man of the Year, and Marie Ronyak is Woman of the Year. The Lifetime Achievement Award will go to the late Albert Baca, and will be accepted by his son, Michael.

Scholarships of $1,000 apiece will be awarded to Youngstown State University students Dominic Tedde, Lindsay Soltis and Gina Ungaro.

The morra tournament will take place at 6 p.m. Friday. The homemade wine contest will take place Saturday at 6:30 p.m., hosted by the Knights of Columbus.

The traditional noon Mass, followed by the procession through the festival grounds with the Lowellville Band, will be Sunday.

As always, the OLMC festival will include a large silent auction, many food vendors, a children’s area, and free parking at several sites, with free shuttle service. The lots – each of which is marked and secured – will be at Levinson Tire Co., the YMCA lot, the HMHP Buildingn and Choffin Career Center.

Festival hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday.