Italy taking over Courthouse Square

setting up for 38th Italian festival

WARREN -- Warren's 38th annual Italian American Heritage Festival runs today through Sunday in the city's Courthouse Square.

The four-day festival will feature a variety of games and activities that are traditional to Italian-American heritage. The festival features food from Italy and, sometimes, their Italian-American variations.

Its goal is to promote and perpetuate Italian culture and heritage throughout the community.

The festival began in 1985 with an idea by founder Lou Metter. Soon after, with other groups promoting various activities, and Warren became known as "The Festival City."

This year's entertainment includes music from local groups RD NA, Mirra the Musician, The Hern Brothers Band and The Rex Taneri Band. Other highlights include the Miss Italian Festival Pageant, Tiny King and Queen pageants, a meatball-eating contest, wine tasting contest, bocce and more.

In addition, the annual meatball-eating contest will feature a women's version with 10 contestants, which is new this year. Festival board President Corey Hovance admitted meatball- eating contests are more difficult than similar hot dog eating contests "because of all of the sauce along with the meatballs."

Hovance also mentioned that the tunes may sound different, as the board has "switched up" the era of music to '80s and '70s music that everyone can enjoy."

"We really pride ourselves on having many local businesses and their products at the festival," Hovance said, as he explained that in preparation for the event, he and BRITE Energy Innovators President and CEO Rick Stockburger dropped off gift baskets to many businesses around Courthouse Square.

Some of the local businesses in attendance are Best Western Park Hotel, Underground Lounge, CharBenay's Wine on the River and Modern Methods Brewing Co.

The board is hoping attendees indulge in Antone's, Lobo's and the Cafe Italiano food vendors, among many longstanding others. And the Italian game of luck, Morra, will continue to entertain not only players, but those who chase them around all evening.

If you go …

WHAT: 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

COST $3. For more information, visit www.warrenitalianfestival.com

Schedule

Today

4 p.m. -- Ribbon cutting

5:45 to 11 p.m. -- Bocce tournament

6 p.m. -- Junior Miss Italian and Miss Italian pageants (main stage)

6:30 to 11 p.m. -- Rex Taneri (beer tent)

Friday

9:30 a.m. -- Kick-off breakfast

5:45 to 11 p.m. -- Bocce tournament

7 to 11 p.m. -- Tom Angelo (beer tent)

7:30 to 11 p.m. -- Hern Brothers Band (main stage)

Saturday

9 a.m. to 11 p.m. -- Bocce tournament

1 p.m. -- Wine taste competition (gazebo)

1 to 5 p.m. -- Jim Frank Combo (beer tent)

1:30 p.m. -- Meatball eating contest

2 p.m. -- Morra tournament

3 p.m. -- Tiny King and Queen and Prince and Princess pageants (main stage)

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

7:30 to 11 p.m. -- RD NA (main stage)

10:45 p.m. -- Fireworks

Sunday

9 a.m. -- Bocce tournament

10 a.m. -- Italian Outdoor Mass

11:15 a.m. -- Continental breakfast

1 to 5 p.m. -- Italian Cousins (beer tent)

2 p.m. -- Parade

6 to 7:30 p.m. -- Mirella the Musician (main stage)

7 to 11 p.m. -- Mikey Dee (beer tent)

8 to 9:30 p.m. -- Lights Out