Staff report

The Italian Heritage Foundation of Youngstown has canceled this year’s Greater Youngstown Italian Fest, which was scheduled Aug. 2 to 4 on Federal Street downtown.

According to a news release sent Monday by festival Chairman John R. Rossetti, “After much debate and discussion, the Foundation feels that we could not provide a successful and quality product (The Fest), in which the Mahoning Valley has come to expect and so richly deserves.

“Please know that many factors went into this decision. Ultimately, the Fest could not produce a viable product for the public to enjoy in 2024.”

Organizers already had planned to move the festival to East Federal Street between Champion Street and South Avenue because of construction around Central Square.

Additional road closures were caused by the fatal explosion May 28 at the Realty Tower on Central Square.

The opening day of this year’s festival also coincided with this year’s Y-Live concert at Wean Foundation Park. The Aug. 2 concert, which is headlined this year by Tim McGraw, traditionally draws 20,000 people or more downtown.

According to the press release, plans already are underway for the 2025 festival, and the foundation plans to go ahead with its 2024 scholarship recipients and charitable giving.

Details will be provided at a later date.

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