TimesLeader.com

August 20
La Festa set for Scranton

The 33rd annual La Festa Italiana will be held on Saturday through Monday, Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton. Admission to the three-day festival is free. Hours are noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and noon to 9 p.m. on Monday.

The Poets

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Approximately 70 vendors will offer foods and displays of Italian music and culture. Italian cuisine is cooked and served daily.

Continuous live entertainment is presented on two stages during the afternoon and evening each day. This year’s featured entertainer is comedian and musician Pete Barbutti, a Scranton native who has performed in Las Vegas and appeared on national television. He will take the stage on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m.

The Frank Sinatra Tribute featuring Chris DiMattio is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. The Poets will make their annual appearance on Sunday at 8 p.m. Sunday night will be capped by a gala fireworks display sponsored by the City of Scranton.

A variety of other acts are scheduled, including King Henry and the Original Showmen, New York show band Los Vega, tenor Pat Aita and The Hi-Lites, Ferdie Bistocchi Memorial Orchestra, Take Five, Italian Continentals, Gerard Mayer Show Band, Gene Dempsey Orchestra, University of Scranton Jazz Band, Ringold Pops Orchestra, local dance troupes, jugglers, strolling musicians and more.

The annual Catholic Mass in Italian will be celebrated at 10 a.m., on Sunday, Aug. 31, in St. Peter’s Cathedral, located one block from the festival site. The principal celebrant and homilist will be Scranton Bishop Joseph F. Martino. The Mass will also be televised live by CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton.

For details, visit the festival Web site at: www.lafestaitaliana.org.

Event schedule

Location: Showmobile on Linden Street

Saturday, August 30

Noon, Opening Ceremony

12:15 p.m., Ferdie Bistocchi Memorial Orchestra

1:30 p.m., Civic Dance Studio

2 p.m.,“Hi-Lites” featuring Pat Aita

3 p.m., Arabesque Dance Academy

3:30 p.m.,Take Five

4:30 p.m., Jillian Rossi

5 p.m., Los Vega

7 p.m., Pete Barbutti from Las Vegas

9 p.m., University of Scranton Jazz Band

Sunday, August 31

10 a.m., Mass in Italian at St. Peter’s Cathedral

Noon, Ringold Pops

1:30 p.m., King Henry and the Original Showmen

3:30 p.m., United Sports Academy of Gymnastics

4 p.m., The Moments

4 p.m., Strolling Paci Band

5:30 p.m., Ballet Theatre of Scranton

6 p.m., Frank Sinatra Tribute featuring Chris DiMattio with Marywood University Jazz Band directed by Bill Weber and featuring Ken Brader on trumpet

7:30 p.m., Dani-Elle Kleha

8 p.m.,The Poets

10p.m., Fireworks

Monday, September 1

Noon, The Gene Dempsey Orchestra

1 p.m., Al Grout, Juggler and Magician

1:30 p.m., Italian Continentals with Mike Lanza

3 p.m., Al Grout, Juggler and Magician

3:30 p.m., Gerard Mayer Show Band

5 p.m., Los Vega

7 p.m., Pete Barbutti from Las Vegas

Location: Piazza dell’ Arte Stage (Spruce Street)

Saturday, August 30

Noon, Jim Cullen

2:30 p.m., Janice Gambo

5 p.m., Funk n’ Gumbo

Sunday, August 31

Noon, Solo Tu

2:30 p.m., Sarah Marie and Joseph

5 p.m., The Fortunes

Monday, September 1

Noon, Deano Noto

2:30 p.m., Fuzzy Park Band featuring Danny Rosato

5 p.m., Cherry on Top featuring Gerri Featherby