The Greater Youngstown Italian Fest will take over downtown this weekend.

The annual event that runs along Federal Street will open Friday and run through Sunday, with blocks of food and merchandise vendors, games, live music and a beer and wine tent.

The fest turns into a lively party each evening. The Cugines will headline Friday night, and their crooner-type vocals, set over a lively beat, make the vocal act a perfect choice. 

No Funk No Justice will turn the entertainment tent into a party Saturday evening. The fest will close Sunday with old favorites The Houseband and RDNA.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 2-11 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday.

Check the whole schedule HERE. The fest has a small admission fee.

There are a few other highlights this weekend:

St. Patrick’s Church Festival, 225 N. Main St., Hubbard, is back. The festival will open at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. It will have homemade food, games, rides, live entertainment and a huge basket auction. Admission is free.

River Rock at the Amp is a full-blown party just about every Saturday at the Warren Community Amphitheatre. This week’s headliner was 7 Summers, the popular Morgan Wallen tribute band that has pleased the audience many times over the years. The act was unable to make it this year due to a medical reason, so River Rock replaced it with another Morgan Wallen tribute show: Wallen Nation. Music will start at 5:30 p.m. with Random Strangers. Wallen Nation will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $12.

Football season is sneaking up, and the Youngstown State University Penguins will have their annual meet the players event from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday at WATTS field house, on the campus. Admission is free. Learn more HERE.

The Columbiana County Fair, which has that old-school charm that you never knew you wanted, will return Monday and run through Aug. 9. The fairgrounds are at 225 Lee Ave. in Lisbon. You can park for free in the giant lot on Saltwell Road. Learn more HERE.

Pictured at top: The Greater Youngstown Italian Fest.