By Anne Cloonan

Despite its name, La Festa Italia to be held Saturday and Sunday at Ascension Catholic Church in Jeannette will open with a Polka Mass. The Rev. Paul Lisik, pastor, said the hymns and responses to the Mass at 4:30 p.m. Saturday will be done to a polka beat, music mostly associated with Eastern European culture. Entertainment after Mass, from 6 to 10 p.m., will also be heavy on the polkas.

Still, the festival is dedicated to all things Italian, especially food. It is the landmark Italian church's largest fundraiser; some 2,000 attended last year, and it raised $23,000 for the parish. Many past parishioners plan their vacations to coincide with the annual festival, which this year also marks with the parish's 100th anniversary. Others take their vacation time to help out. "It's like a big Italian family reunion," longtime volunteer Hilda White said. The festa at the church at 615 Division St. will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday and from 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday.

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Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/