Italian Flag Raised in Anticipation of La Festa

Some of the board members, committee volunteers and civic officials associated with La Festa Italiana raise the Italian flag on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton, site of the festival to be held Labor Day Weekend, this Friday through Monday, Aug. 30-Sept. 2. From left: Tony Nicosia, Bill and Nancy Genello, Dr. Peter Cognetti, Gayle Plevyak, Richard Suraci, Jim Sagona, Debra Meila, Atty. Frank T. Blasi, La Festa President Chris DiMattio, Atty. Frank Castellano, Alex Strubeck, Frank Gervasi, Lackawanna County Commissioner Matt McGloin, Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan, Diane Alberigi, Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak.

La Festa Italiana Set for Labor Day Weekend in Scranton, PA

For Italians and anyone who simply enjoys great food, lively entertainment and the Italian culture and spirit, all roads lead to Scranton, PA this Labor Day weekend.

La Festa Italiana will be held Friday through Monday, Aug. 30 through Sept. 2, 2024 on Courthouse Square in the heart of downtown Scranton, PA. Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

The presenting sponsor is Lehigh Valley Hospital-Dickson City.

The festival is an annual celebration of culture, cuisine and continuous entertainment. Admission is free.

Of course, there is the food, a mouth-watering variety tempting the taste buds! Among the many culinary delights is the famous porketta sandwich prepared by the Scranton Chapter of UNICO, the Italian-American service organization.

Cappuccino Served With A Smile

The Cappuccino Tent at La Festa is staffed by Coffee Inclusive, a Pittston-based non-profit that employs people with diverse abilities, including intellectual disabilities and Autism, working side by side with experienced baristas and servers to provide a warm and welcoming experience!

In between bites, people of all ages will enjoy Italian vocalists, artists and local bands as well as dance groups performing over four days and nights on three stages.  

Christmas — Adorned Italian Style!

The volunteer-staffed La Festa Committee Tent, which helps to fund the festival, will again offer a variety of Italian-themed clothing, crafts and novelty items. New this year is the La Festa di Natale Boutique, your premier destination for exquisite Italian holiday treasures. This season, immerse yourself in the magic of Italy with our exclusive collection of festive decor. Our boutique offers hand-painted Italian ornaments, snow globes, ornaments capturing picturesque winter scenes from historic villages. Adorn your tree with our delicate Italian ornaments, featuring iconic symbols like the Colosseum and Tuscan landscapes. Among these are stained glass Italian horn ornaments created by artist Lisa Venturi Rosser of Mountain Top. At La Festa di Natale Boutique, every piece tells a story, bringing the warmth and joy of an Italian Christmas to your home.

Friday’s (Aug. 30) headline entertainment on Alfredo’s Cafe’ Main Stage includes Ray Massa’s Eurorythms Italian Show Band and Picture Perfect.

Saturday (Aug. 31) features The Cameos, New Jersey’s Favorite Oldies Group, and a Billy Joel Tribute.

Sunday (Sept. 1) begins with the annual Mass in Italian at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter, located one block from the festival site. The Mass will also be televised live by CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton.

The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D, J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, will preside and be the homilist. Very Reverend David P. Cappelloni, V.F., La Festa Chaplain and pastor of Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Dunmore, will be the principal celebrant.

At the conclusion of Mass, members of The Italian Colony of Saint Lucy will process out with the statue of Saint Lucy onto the festival grounds to the Heritage Piazza on Spruce Street.

The entertainment on Sunday includes a Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin Tribute Show featuring Chris DiMattio and Las Vegas’ Andy DiMino with Ken McGraw’s Brass & Ivory Big Band.

Sunday night will be capped off by fireworks brought to us by Dickson City Hyundai.

On Monday (Sept. 2) the stage will feature 99-years-young and WWII Veteran Gene “Dempsey” Passarella Orchestra and POPSTAR Drive.

Click here for the complete Entertainment Schedule

La Festa Italiana will literally hit the ground running with the 11th Annual Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 10 a.m. The race is being sponsored by the Scranton Chapter of UNICO, the Italian-American service organization, and proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania Christmas Party and college scholarships for West Scranton High School students. To register in advance ($25) go to: runsignup.com/Minicozzi or on race day ($35) from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at corner of North Washington Avenue and Linden Street.For news and updates, visit www.lafestaitaliana.org, Facebook: La Festa Italiana di Lackawanna County, Instagram: lafestascranton or scan the QR code.

Mass in Italian To Be Celebrated September 1 in Scranton

The annual Mass in Italian will be celebrated on Sunday, September 1, at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton. All are welcome to attend.

The liturgy is celebrated in conjunction with La Festa Italiana, which occurs over the Labor Day weekend, Friday through Monday, August 30-September 2, on Courthouse Square, one block away.

The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D, J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, will preside and be the homilist.

Reverend David P. Cappelloni, V.F., La Festa Chaplain and pastor of Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Dunmore, will be the principal celebrant.

Concelebrants will include Monsignor Constantine V. Siconolfi, La Festa Chaplain Emeritus, and priests from the Diocese of Scranton. Deacons from the Diocese will also participate.

The Mass will be broadcast live by CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton and will be rebroadcast on Tuesday, September 3, at 8 p.m., and Wednesday, September 4, at 10:30 a.m. In addition to airing live on CTV, the Mass will air live on the diocesan website and on social media platforms. It will also be available on demand after the live broadcast concludes.

This year’s Italian Mass is being offered in memory of all those members and friends of La Festa Italiana who passed away since the last Mass was celebrated, including Rose Blasi, Ken Brader, Anna Brunetti, Mayor James P. Connors, Tom “Chick” DiPietro, Bill DelPrete, Joe Hoban, James Mack, Sr., John Moffitt, Mariann Moran, Charles Morell, Angelo Rose, Billy Saar, Sheriff John Szymanski and Bill Weber.

Music ministry for the Italian Mass will be provided by the choirs of Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Dunmore, accompanied by a brass quartet, all directed by Joseph Moffitt. Dominick DeNaples, mandolin; Patrick Loungo, Nicholas Luongo, Eugene Mentz, organist, and Monica Spishock, timpani, will also accompany.

Ashley Yando-DeFlice is the cantor and the leader of prayer. The featured soloist will be T.J. Capobianco from the New York City Metropolitan Opera.

The lectors are Atty. Frank T. Blasi and Anthony Bengivenga, President of UNICO National.

The Prayer of the Faithful will be led by Diane Alberigi, Karen Clifford and Joe Guido.

The offertory gifts will be presented by Alex and Annette Blasi-Strubeck, Robert W. Pettinato, the Honorable Robert Mazzoni and the Honorable Leonard Zito (Ret.).

James Baress, Patrick Caramanno, Joshua Cillo, Jonathan Eboli, Stephen Eboli, Richard Garofalo and Joseph Wentline are the ushers. Guy Valvano is honorary usher.

At the conclusion of Mass, members of The Italian Colony of Saint Lucy will process out with the statue of Saint Lucy onto the festival grounds to the Heritage Piazza on Spruce Street.