The three-day festival is an end-of-summer tradition that annually attracts thousands of visitors. Hours are noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Monday. Admission is free.
People come from throughout the tri-state area to sample the food, music and culture that characterize the Italian heritage.
La Festa Italiana has something for everyone. As usual, approximately 70 vendors will offer a wide variety of foods and displays. The finest Italian cuisine is cooked and served daily, presenting festival goers with the dilemma of which tempting dish to try next.
Continuous live entertainment for both young and older tastes is presented on two stages during the afternoon and evening each day. This year's featured performer is comedian and musician Pete Barbutti, a Scranton native who has performed in Las Vegas and appeared on national television programs. He will take the stage on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. and again on Monday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m.
The Frank Sinatra Tribute featuring Chris DiMattio is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. The Poets will make their annual appearance on Sunday at 8 p.m. Sunday night will be capped by a gala fireworks display sponsored by the City of Scranton.
A variety of other acts are scheduled, including King Henry and the Original Showmen, New York show band Los Vega, tenor Pat Aita and The Hi Lites, Ferdie Bistocchi Memorial Orchestra, Take Five, Italian Continentals, Gerard Mayer Show Band, Gene Dempsey Orchestra, University of Scranton Jazz Band, Ringold Pops Orchestra, local dance troupes, jugglers, strolling musicians and more.
The annual Mass in Italian will be celebrated at a new time, 10 a.m., on Sunday (Aug. 31) in St. Peter’s Cathedral, located one block from the festival site. The principal celebrant and homilist will be Scranton Bishop Joseph F. Martino. The Mass will also be televised live by CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton.
For more information and updates, visit the festival website at: www.lafestaitaliana.org.
Following is the complete event schedule:
Showmobile (Linden Street)
Saturday, August 30
Noon Opening Ceremony
12:15 Ferdie Bistocchi Memorial Orchestra
1:30 Civic Dance Studio
2:00 “Hi-Lites” featuring Pat Aita
3:00 Arabesque Dance Academy
3:30 Take Five
4:30 Jillian Rossi
5:00 Los Vega
7:00 Pete Barbutti from Las Vegas
9:00 University of Scranton Jazz Band
Sunday, August 31
10 a.m. Mass in Italian at St. Peter’s Cathedral
Noon Ringold Pops
1:30 King Henry and the Original Showmen
3:30 United Sports Academy of Gymnastics
4:00 The Moments
4:00 Strolling Paci Band
5:30 Ballet Theatre of Scranton
6:00 Frank Sinatra Tribute featuring Chris DiMattio with Marywood University Jazz Band directed by Bill Weber and featuring Ken Brader on trumpet
7:30 Dani-Elle Kleha
8:00 The Poets
10:00 Fireworks!
Monday, September 1
Noon The Gene Dempsey Orchestra
1:00 Al Grout, Juggler and Magician
1:30 Italian Continentals with Mike Lanza
3:00 Al Grout, Juggler and Magician
3:30 Gerard Mayer Show Band
5:00 Los Vega
7:00 Pete Barbutti from Las Vegas
(Street performances by Electric Theatre Company throughout the weekend.)
Piazza dell' Arte Stage (Spruce Street)
Saturday, August 30
Noon Jim Cullen
2:30 Janice Gambo
5:00 Funk n' Gumbo
Sunday, August 31
Noon Solo Tu
2:30 Sarah Marie & Joseph
5:00 The Fortunes
Monday, September 1
Noon Deano Noto
2:30 Fuzzy Park Band featuring Danny Rosato
5:00 Cherry on Top featuring Gerri Featherby
