Italian Festival to Adjust Its Downtown Footprint
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Greater Youngstown Italian Fest will once again sprawl through the middle of downtown, but its footprint will be shortened by one block.
The event will take place Aug. 4-6 on East Federal Street, Champion Street and Central Square.
The first block of West Federal immediately west of Central Square will not be used this year because of the ongoing asbestos remediation work at the 20 Federal Place building.
Other than that, it will be party as usual.
“The only difference will be that we will have one main stage at the corner of Champion and East Federal streets, where all the entertainment will happen,” said John Rossetti, chairman of the festival.
In the past, the festival had two entertainment areas – the main stage on West Federal Street in front of 20 Federal Place, and the wine and beer tent on East Federal Street.
This year’s wine and beer tent will be in its usual spot but will be extended to a length of 160 feet to accommodate more people, Rossetti said.
“As for all other attractions and vendors, it will be status quo as far as their location,” he said.
One thing that will be new is the festival’s partnership with Penguin City Brewing, announced Wednesday.
Penguin City, which is brewed just two blocks away, will be the official beer of the festival. It will serve Penguin City golden ale and Penguin City Light on draft and Holy Cannoli pastry stout – a collaboration with One Hot Cookie of Boardman – in cans.
The brewer has partnerships with other festivals but has long wanted to team up with the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest.
“We are excited to be a part of this time-honored Youngstown tradition,” Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki, co-owner of Penguin City, said in a press release.
The Italian festival will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4; 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6.
Admission is $5 (free for children under age 12).
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
