37th Annual Greater Youngstown Italian Fest

The Greater Youngstown Italian Fest is a main revenue generator of the Italian Heritage Foundation of Youngstown. The primary goal of the registered non-profit heritage foundation is to improve the quality of life in the greater Youngstown area through charitable donations while honoring the memory and living heritage of the Italian community in the Mahoning Valley.

The fest is a family-oriented event that offers a taste of the Italian heritage through performances by international recording artists, delicious food offered by the area’s finest vendors and restaurants, Italian games and more.

The 2023 Italian Fest …

- Over 30 Italian restaurants & food vendors
- One main stage with wine and beer under a 160-foot tent at E Federal St & Champion St
- One continuous stage of entertainment nightly
- Musical performances along the midway daily
- Large tents for your comfort and enjoyment while watching and listening to our events
- Over 2 dozen retail vendors
- Opening Ceremonies Friday evening, August 4th at 6pm
- Awarding of Italian Fest Scholarships to YSU students
- Italian Fest Man & Woman of the Year Presentations
- Little King & Queen Pageant
- Morra Tournament
- Pasta Eating Contest
- Homemade Italian Wine Contest
- Homemade Peppers in Oil Contest
- Venetian Auction Basket Tent
- Outdoor Sunday Mass with Procession
- 50/50 Raffle drawn nightly

Entertainment Schedule:

Friday, August 4, 2023

Gates open 11 am to 11pm

Wine and Beer Tent
(Location: Champion St. and E. Federal St.)

12:00-2:00pm: The Feral Cats, a Purple Cat Group

3:30-5:30pm: Rex Taneri

6:00-7:00pm: Opening Ceremony, including
- Awarding of YSU Scholarships
- Fest Man and Woman of the Year

7:00pm: Morra Tournament starts

7:00-8:30pm: Vintage Vinyl

9:00-11:00pm: RDNA

On the Square
(Location: Market St. and Federal St.)

12:00-2:00pm: Jaclyn Olesky

4:00-6:00pm: Henry Edwardo, accordion

Saturday, August 5, 2023

Gates open 1 pm to 11pm

Wine and Beer Tent
(Location: Champion St. and E. Federal St.)

1:15-3:00pm: Del Sinchak

3:00-3:30pm: Pasta Eating Contest

3:15-4:00pm: Homemade Peppers Contest/Homemade Italian Wine Contest

4:00-6:00pm: Butch Nichols Band

6:30-8:30pm: Gli Italiani

9:00-11:00pm: The Ovations

On the Square
(Location: Market St. and Federal St.)

4:00-6:00pm: Henry Edwardo, accordion

5:00-7:00pm: Jaclyn Olesky

Sunday, August 6, 2023

Gates open 11 am to 11pm

Wine and Beer Tent
(Location: Champion St. and E. Federal St.)

12:30-1:30pm: Outdoor Mass

1:30-2:30pm: Lowellville Band

2:30-4:00pm: Little King and Queen Pageant

4:00-6:00pm: Avanti Band

6:30-8:30pm: Jim Frank

9:00-11:00pm: HouseBand

On the Square
(Location: Market St. and Federal St.)

2:00-4:00pm: Jaclyn Olesky

5:00-7:00pm: Nick Salpietra, piano music

5:00-7:00pm: Jaclyn Olesky

- Street serenading at the Square all weekend by Jaclyn Olesky

2023 Admission and General Rules

$5 admission at the gate
Under 12 years old admitted free
No one under 18 admitted without a parent present
No pets or animals allowed on Fest grounds

The $5 admission helps support the Fest’s general expenses and also allows the Foundation to make charitable giving to Mahoning Valley Charities on a yearly basis. We also use proceeds of the Fest towards yearly scholarships to Youngstown State University students.

Date: August 4 - 6, 2023

Time:

Friday, August 4 – 11am to 11pm
Saturday, August 5 – 1pm to 11pm
Sunday, August 6 – 11am to 11pm

Location: Central Square, Downtown Youngstown, OH 44501.

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