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<p>SCRANTON &#8212; According to Chris DiMattio, president of the board of directors of La Festa Italiana, Scranton&#8217;s celebration of Italian-American culture started with a national upwelling of pride in cultural heritage during the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial. Forty years later, organizers boast the largest ethnic festival in Northeastern Pennsylvania and are gearing up for its return to Courthouse Square on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-7.</p><p>Close to 80 vendors of Italian cuisine, other ethnic delights and traditional festival fare make the gathering a culinary extravaganza. Local restaurants like Mendicino&#8217;s Pizza and Arcaro and Genell&#8217;s will be among the food merchants, but patrons will also be treated to other vendors, such as Arancini Bros of NYC, which will sell its signature Sicilian stuffed rice balls.</p><p>Dessert options will be provided by Amber Donia Bakery and Brooklyn&#8217;s Best Pastries, among others.</p><p>Live entertainment will be performed on a variety of stages. Bands with national recognition, like the Bronx Wanderers and the Duprees, will headline a schedule that also includes Scranton natives Dani-elle and Rogue Chimp.</p><p>The Children&#8217;s Stage will showcase the Mock Turtle Marionette Theatre, and performances by magicians and jugglers are scheduled on several stages.</p><p>Additional entertainment includes a performance by Zampognari di Filadelfia, an Italian folk duo that plays bagpipes and accordion, on the square on Sept. 5 and a connoli eating contest at 3 p.m. on Sept 7.</p><p>The festival runs concurrent with Lackawanna Railfest, and shuttles will be provided between venues for patrons interested in both events.</p><p>Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, on the main stage. The James R. Minicozzi Memorial 5K Run/Walk will kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 and will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of NEPA, and a mass will be presented in the Italian language on Sunday, Sept. 6 at St. Peter&#8217;s Cathedral.</p><p>The Greater Scranton Jaycees have received more than $8,000 in donations from local businesses, which will be raffled off in a variety of gift baskets from their Adams Avenue tent.</p><p>A basket of cheer and an autographed picture of Derek Jeter are among the larger prizes, but all raffle items are valued at $100 or more. Proceeds will go toward future projects that enable young citizens of Scranton to enact change in their city.</p><p>There is no admission for the festival and no alcohol served in order to keep the event family-friendly, but DiMattio said downtown businesses are traditionally ready to receive patrons looking for an after-dinner libation.</p><p>An organizer for 25 years, DiMattio said La Festa differs from street festivals because Courthouse Square gives the authentic feel of an Italian piazza.</p><p>The Dunmore native went on to say the festival brings pride in what Scranton can accomplish and in its cultural heritage. &#8220;I think (there is) really pride for not only Italian Americans who came to Scranton to work in the coal mines or the steel mills &#8230; but for all the other ethnicities that enjoy Italian food and entertainment,&#8221; DiMattio said.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_lafesta03.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">La Festa Italiana on Courthouse Square in Scranton in 2014. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_lafesta03.jpg</photo0><caption0>La Festa Italiana on Courthouse Square in Scranton in 2014. </caption0><photoCredit0>Pete G. Wilcox | The Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_8.29Tfesta.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Courthouse Square in Scranton is a hot spot during La Festa Italiana held over Labor Day weekend. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_8.29Tfesta.jpg</photo1><caption1>Courthouse Square in Scranton is a hot spot during La Festa Italiana held over Labor Day weekend. </caption1><photoCredit1>Pete G. Wilcox | The Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_lafesta01.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Kate Coviello, of Olyphant, enjoys an Italian ice on Courthouse Square in Scranton during last year&#8217;s La Festa Italiana. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_lafesta01.jpg</photo2><caption2>Kate Coviello, of Olyphant, enjoys an Italian ice on Courthouse Square in Scranton during last year&#8217;s La Festa Italiana. </caption2><photoCredit2>Pete G. Wilcox | The Times Leader </photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>La Festa Italiana honors Italian-American culture</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Matt Mattei</p><p>mmattei@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta><p><strong>If you go:</strong></p><p><strong>What:</strong> La Festa Italiana</p><p><strong>Where:</strong> Courthouse Square, Scranton</p><p><strong>When:</strong> Sept. 4-7</p><p><strong>Additional Info:</strong> Admission is free. Festival grounds will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Sept. 4; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 5 and 6; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 7. Yoga classes will debut on the square this year at 7 p.m., Sept. 4 and 11 a.m., Sept. 5. A full schedule of events can be viewed at <a href="http://lafestaitaliana.org/entertainment/">http://lafestaitaliana.org/entertainment/</a>.</p></factboxMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Matt Mattei at 570-991-6651 or <a href="mailto:mmattei@www.timesleader.com">mmattei@www.timesleader.com</a></p></shirttailMeta></div>

Scranton Italian festival features cultural cuisine and entertainment