SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Green, white, and red flags fill the city of Scranton, and with Labor Day this weekend, we all know what that means: La Festa Italiana is back!
Stepping into Courthouse Square in Scranton, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported straight to the heart of Italy.
But the green, white, and red all represent La Festa Italiana, a four-day Labor Day tradition in Lackawanna County.
“It’s one year of the process. It’s a small group of people that really pull off what I say is one of the most humbling, huge community events in the downtown,” said merchandise co-chair/board member Debbie Meila.
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Kicking off Friday, around-the-clock work and hours of setup are underway for organizers.
“A lot of work that goes into this. We have volunteers that are literally moving trailers, tents, and chairs, and tables,” shared La Festa Italiana chairman Chris DiMattio.
And a need for extra hands for vendors like Revello’s Pizza.
“You call your aunts, your uncles. I know some fathers and mothers that are here working, and you just call everybody. It’s all hands on deck working behind the counter this year,” explained owner Pat Revello.
You can see the full list of La Festa Italiana vendors online.
In its 49th year, the festival has changed since its start.
“The stage was across the street in front of the old Hilton at the time, and it was originally in October of Columbus Day weekend,” explained musician Patrick Luongo.
But the tradition of performers and generations of those attending only grow in numbers.
“We’ve been here for 49 years, and hopefully next year we’ll make it to the 50th. It’s just like the highlight of our year,” said musician Nicholas Luongo.
There’s something for everyone at more than 70 vendors offering mouthwatering food, along with free entertainment, and events like Saturday’s car show and Sunday’s annual mass in Italian.
“Italian people are fun and we like to eat, and I think everybody wants to have fun and wants to eat, right? And we share it, just come down, relax, ya know?” shared musician/committee member Frank Gervasi.
“We do it because we love our heritage and we love making people smile,” said DiMatto.
La Festa Italiana’s opening ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, and the festival runs through Monday on Labor Day.
Parking will be available for $6 daily in central parking garages located close to Courthouse Square from Friday to Monday. The garages are at the following locations:
Medallion Garage, 140 Adams Ave.
Casey Garage, 101 Adams Ave.
Linden Garage, 419 Linden St.
Connell Garage, 117 N. Washington
Marketplace at Steamtown Garage, 300 Lackawanna Ave.
Electric City Garage, 305 Biden St.
La Festa Italiana respectfully asks patrons not to bring pets to the festival. For more information on directions, parking, and the pet policy, visit La Festa Italiana.
