Staff report

It’s the third Italian festival in the Mahoning Valley in as many weeks as the Brier Hill Italian Fest starts today.

It’s the 33rd year for the neighborhood Italian festival that takes place on Victoria and Calvin streets in Youngstown, where it was started by Dee Dee Modarelli.

Food vendors offer Italian favorites, including Brier Hill pizza, pasta, braciole and sausage-stuffed hot peppers.

Live entertainment is scheduled all four days with the Mikey Dee Band tonight and Saturday; Bill Bevec Band and Rex Taneri Orchestra on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; The Cugines on Friday; Antonio & the Mambo Italianos on Saturday and Sunday; and Lowellville Marching Band on Sunday.

Special events include the opening ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday, morra at 7:30 p.m. Friday, a hot pepper contest starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and a wine-tasting contest from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The festival runs from 4 p.m. to midnight today and Friday, 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday and 1 p.m. to midnight Sunday. Admission is free.