Staff photo / Brandon Cantwell

The Mikey Dee Band opened the first day of the Brier Hill Italian Fest’s 33rd anniversary Thursday with a mix of romantic and jovial tunes. It will play again Saturday. The festival’s opening ceremony is set to take place at 7 p.m. today. The festival continues 4 p.m. to midnight today, 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday and 1 p.m. to midnight Sunday. Admission is free to the fest on Victoria and Calvin streets in Youngstown.

Also at the fest, Charles Shasho, deputy director of public works for the city of Youngstown, cuts and prepares raw chicken for Youngstown-based Roasteria Tradizone Arrosto’s “Panino di Roasteria,” toasted sandwiches, including toppings such as marinated tomatoes and basil, fresh arugula and grilled zucchini at the fest Thursday.