SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — One of the biggest festivals in NEPA wrapped up on Monday: La Festa Italiana, and now it's time for the big teardown. How did this year's Italian culture and cuisine event stack up?
The four-day festival is officially over in downtown Scranton, and those same vendors who were setting up last week in preparation are now taking it all down until next year.
As the sun sets on the 49th Annual La Festa Italiana, organizers are reflecting on the long weekend and another year of success.
"Everyone was prepared, the entertainers were just terrific, and then of course the people. I mean, they come from far and wide, and that's what makes this festival just a terrific event," La Festa Italiana Chairman Chris DiMattio said.
"We saw the large crowds that I'm used to seeing, like, you know, five, six years ago. It was great. You know, everything worked out, we're all happy, but now we're tired and ready to go home," Arcaro & Genell Manager Amanda Krappa told 28/22 News.
Before they can go home and get some much-needed rest, what goes up must also come down.
As visitors made their rounds, grabbing some last-minute treats to hold them over until next year, vendors and organizers were hard at work packing up their tents.
NEPA residents dream of what to do with $1B jackpot
Some already looking ahead to next year, a milestone for the festival.
"Prep started today, already planning for next year, which will be our 50th. As you can see, we're tearing everything down. We just have a handful of volunteers," DiMattio continued.
Over 150,000 people came out to the Electric City this Labor Day weekend. While none of it would be possible without the dozens of volunteers, this year, Mother Nature played her part, too.
"The weather was perfect," Krappa said.
"The weather was just so cooperative, it was just terrific," DiMattio added.
While he wouldn't say too much about their big plans for next year's La Festa, when asked what people can expect, DiMattio said the following.
"Let's just say, 'Lights, camera, action,'" DiMattio stated.
Not only is next year the 50th La Festa Italiana, it is also the 250th birthday of America, and Dimattio says there is a lot to look forward to.
