Greater Youngstown Italian Festival begins Friday downtown

YOUNGSTOWN — The Greater Youngstown Italian Festival moved back downtown last summer, and is learning from the experience. The three-day festival returns Friday.

More food vendors — including four well-known Mahoning Valley restaurants — have been added to the event this year, said John Rossetti, president of the Italian Heritage Foundation of Youngstown, which puts on the festival. Antone’s, Franco’s, Leo’s Ristorante and Rosetta Stone Cafe are new to the food vendor list.

The festival is held along Federal Street, from Phelps street to just east of Champion Street; and Wick Avenue between Boardman and Commerce streets. Those sections of the streets will be closed to vehicular traffic for the duration of the festival.

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