Thursday - August 6: Wellsville's Sons of Italy Lodge 657 got its 14th Annual Italian-American Festival underway last night with opening ceremonies. It's the beginning of three evenings of fun, food, friendship and festivities. Master-of-Ceremonies Joe LaScola got this year's festival started with a few of his friends. East Liverpool resident Sam Scafide offered the opening benediction. SOI President Rocco DaLonzo welcomed everyone & VP Joe Traina said this year all he is asking for is that everyone have a good time. Traina remarked that last year he said he hoped the rain would hold off and Wellsville wound up with no water. He was keeping his mouth shut this year!
U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson and EL Municipal Judge Melissa Byers-Emmerling was on hand to meet and greet some old Wellsville friends. Wilson even gave some recognition to Wellsville Legend Bevo Francis and his missus. Wilson remarked that his Congressional District includes Rio Grande, home of Bevo's college alma mater, and related no one down there has to ask "Bevo who?" Village Administrator Jim Saracco welcomed everyone to town on behalf of Wellsville.
There was dancing in the street with Chester resident Jake LaScola "cutting the rug" with Lucille Drago. Jake & his brother Joe grew up just around the corner from the SOI on 3rd St. Youngstown's Frank Gallo Band opened the entertainment for the beginning of the festival. He's been doing that in the ville for years now. The night's entertainment was closed out with Ron Fiorentino.
Day 2 of the festival gets underway at 6 P.M. this evening with Five Guys Named Moe taking the stage after the opening ceremony. Then there will be some boot scooting boogie on the street with the ever popular Route 45 Band at 9:30. They always bring a crowd of faithful fans. We're not sure which is more entertaining - their music or watching the dancers.
You won't want to miss any of it. There is something for everyone and the list of food available is guaranteed to satisfy any appetite. Our mouth is already watering for one of those famous "Italian steak sandwiches" cooked fresh & served by members of the SOI.
The weatherman promises one of the hall of fame summer days and the SOI members promise you'll enjoy every minute you're there. Good food, great music and catching up with old friends... It don't get much better than that.
Pictures in the collage were all from last night's opening. You can click on it to make it bigger.
Buon Festa...
ole nib
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