Staff photo / Andy Gray
Corey Hovance, president of the Warren Italian-American Heritage Festival, talks about the 40th edition of the festival, which was founded by his grandfather, Lou Metter.

He’s only 39 years old, and his grandfather, Lou Metter, founded the downtown Warren festival in 1985 before he was born, but he believes his grandfather would be proud to know that the event is celebrating its 40th edition today through Sunday.

“I think he’d be happy that it’s still going strong,” Hovance said. “We’re still trying to keep up with the times, but celebrating our past. It’s a lot of hard work. The volunteers and the board members take time away from their families. But everyone here is very dedicated and it’s a pleasure to work amongst a great group of people.”

Except for selling 40th anniversary T-shirts, organizers aren’t doing much to commemorate the occasion. Instead, they’re staying true to its roots.

One example of that is the festival’s Caffe Italiano. In recent years, the festival has relied on store-bought product to meet demand. This year all of the cookies and meatballs sold at Caffe Italiano will be homemade.

“We have a special group of individuals that wanted to go back to the traditional ways and make everything homemade,” Hovance said. “We’re blessed to have them. They’re such hard workers and it’s kind of trickled down to everyone in our volunteer base. We’re excited to have some fresh meatball subs and pizzelles and cannoli, and we’re really happy that we have the opportunity to showcase some good homemade Italian baked desserts.”

There will be plenty of other foods available at the event, from Italian favorites to traditional fair foods. Board member Mike Dando said they sold 56 vendor spots (some vendors use more than one spot), up from 48 last year. He said he suspects some vendors wait until the last minute to commit because weather is the most important factor in the success or failure of most festivals. An encouraging forecast is bringing out vendors, and Hovance said he is hoping it will bring out large crowds.

Torrential rain hurt attendance in 2023. Last year was better, but there was off-and-on precipitation for two of the four days. If the Tuesday forecast for a rain-free week proves to be accurate, Hovance predicted the festival could draw 25,000 over the four days.

“We’re looking forward to a beautiful, fun-filled weekend, and I think we’re going to have more people down here than we’ve ever had, just because it’s the 40th anniversary,” Hovance said. “We’ve spread the word and hopefully it will bring people down here and see what Warren is really like. Warren’s beautiful. It’s not just an Italian festival. It’s the Warren Italian Festival. It’s about Warren as well. And that’s what my grandfather’s dream was. He wanted to bring something to Warren, Ohio, to showcase the endless possibilities that the city has. I mean, there’s a lot of potential here, and it’s still here.”

The main stage entertainment will include a mix of newcomers and proven favorites. Performing Saturday and Sunday will be Ocean’s Rat Pack, a tribute to the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Tony Ocean, who sings Martin’s songs, sang in a touring youth choir that performed for the Pope and appeared on the TV show “Star Search.” He is joined by Elliot Wimbush as Davis and Bill Serritella as Sinatra.

Lights Out, a tribute to Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons featuring past performers from the musical “Jersey Boys,” has played the Warren festival several times in recent years.

Hovance said they keep bringing Lights Out back because of “the energy they bring and the classic songs they perform. It’s just something that everybody, every age group can relate to, and it makes you want to get up and dance.”

While the festival always has featured Italian music and music made famous by Italian performers, organizers also have been booking acts with a more general appeal to reach a broader audience. Last year’s festival featured rock band RDNA, and performing Friday will be Youngstown’s The Houseband. The Warren festival isn’t the only one taking that approach. The Houseband played Simply Slavic in June and the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest last weekend.

“We’re trying to modernize a little bit,” Hovance said. “We’ve got to try to get all age groups down there, so they can see this is all about family and fun.”

If you go …

WHAT: 40th Warren Italian-American Heritage Festival

WHEN: 4 to 11 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday

WHERE: Courthouse Square, West Market Street and North Park Avenue, Warren.

HOW MUCH: $3.

Schedule

TODAY

• 4 p.m. — Ribbon cutting ceremony

• 4 to 10 p.m. — Cultural heritage displays

• 5:45 to 11 p.m. — Bocce tournament

• 6 p.m. — Junior Princess, Junior Miss Italian and Miss Italian pageants (main stage)

• 7 to 10 p.m. — Rex Taneri Orchestra (beer tent)

FRIDAY

• 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Cultural heritage displays

• 5:45 to 11 p.m. — Bocce tournament

• 7 to 11 p.m. — DJ Tom Angelo (beer tent)

• 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. — The Houseband (main stage)

SATURDAY

• 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Bocce tournament

• 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Cultural heritage displays

• 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. — Wine registration (gazebo)

• Noon to 1 p.m. — Meatball eating contest registration (main stage)

• 1 p.m. — Wine tasting competition (gazebo)

• 1 to 5 p.m. — Avanti Band (beer tent)

• 1:30 p.m. — Meatball eating contest (main stage)

• 2 p.m. — Morra tournament

• 3 p.m. — Tiny King & Queen pageant (main stage)

• 6 to 7 p.m. — Mirella the Musician (main stage)

• 7 to 11 p.m. — Guys Without Ties (beer tent)

• 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. — Lights Out (main stage)

• 9:15 to 10:45 p.m. — Ocean’s Rat Pack (main stage)

• 10:45 p.m. — Fireworks

SUNDAY

• 9 a.m. — Bocce tournament

• 9:40 a.m. — Procession formation (culture tent)

• 9:50 a.m. — Blessed Virgin procession

• 10 a.m. — Outdoor Italian Mass (main stage)

• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. — Cultural heritage displays

• 11:15 a.m. — Continental breakfast (beer tent)

• 1 to 5 p.m. — Vegas Band (beer tent)

• 2 p.m. — Parade

• 6 to 7 p.m. — Mirella the Musician (main stage)

7:30 to 10:30 p.m. — Dueling Pianos (beer tent)

7:30 to 8:45 p.m. — Ocean’s Rat Pack (main stage)

9:15 to 10:45 p.m. — Lights Out (main stage)