Italian Fest returns to its roots downtown

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Denise DeBartolo York will be named recipient of the
Humanitarian Award.

By GUY D'ASTOLFO

VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — The Greater Youngstown Italian Fest is returning to the city where it started 21 years ago.

It will be held this weekend in Central Square and surrounding blocks downtown. The festival began in downtown Youngstown in 1986, but left the city in 1990. It was held at Boardman Park for one year and at the Byzantine Center on Shady Run Road for two years before moving to Canfield Fairgrounds in 1993, where it stayed until now.

Why the move back to the city?

"It's where we belong," said Ray Greco, festival chairman. "It is beautiful downtown, and our corporate sponsors said it's time to return. And [Mayor Jay Williams] couldn't do enough for us."

The city is providing water and electricity for the festival, Greco said.

"Our only worry is the weather," Greco said. "If it holds up, we'll be fine."

New setting

The move back to Youngstown has its advantages. In addition to having the more authentic ambiance of an urban street fair, the Italian Fest will add a beer and wine tent this year — something it was never allowed to have at Canfield Fairgrounds, where alcohol is prohibited.

Federal Street will be closed between Phelps and Champion streets, and Wick Avenue will be closed between Commerce and Boardman streets. A large entertainment stage will be set up on Federal between Phelps and Wick.

Parking will be free on all downtown streets and parking garages for the festival. Because the festival is on city property, admission will be free this year, although donations will be accepted at the gates. Those who donate will receive a festival program.

Entertainment

In addition to a full schedule of entertainers, the festival will include food vendors, culture and craft displays, bocce and morra tournaments, a homemade wine contest, pasta-eating and a grape-stomping contest, Italian-American Idol contest, raffles, amusement rides, and a traditional and a polka Mass. An Italian Man and Woman of the Year will be named, and a festival queen and a Little Italian King and Queen will be crowned.

Musical entertainers will include bel Duetto, Jim Frank Trio, John Gabriele, Del Sinchak Band, Carmelina, Joe Martino and Luigi Lenzo, Dom Tocco, Frank and Sam Tonelli, Del Rezek, Rex Taneri, Mirella Volpe, the Lowellville Band, Rocco Monaco, Avante, Frank Gallo and Sugarfuzz Orchestra. Fireworks will close the festival Sunday night.

Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday; noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

For the complete schedule, go to Ytownitalianfest.com.

Humanitarian award

Denise DeBartolo York of Canfield will be named the recipient of the festival's Humanitarian Award in a 5 p.m. ceremony Friday, said Flo Schneider, trustee emeritus of the Youngstown Italian Heritage Foundation. The festival is the fund-raising arm of the foundation.

DeBartolo York is being honored for "dedicated service and generosity to the people of the Mahoning Valley," Schneider said. Because she will be attending the funeral of former San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh, DeBartolo York will not be able to attend the award ceremony. DeBartolo York and her husband, John, own the National Football League franchise.

Only two others have been awarded the Humanitarian Award in the festival's 22-year history: Tony Lariccia of Boardman and the late John Zidian.

Thursday, August 2, 2007