For Italians and anyone who simply enjoys great food, lively entertainment and the Italian culture and spirit, all roads lead to Scranton, PA this Labor Day weekend. La Festa Italiana will be held Friday through Monday, September 2-5, 2022 on Courthouse Square in the heart of downtown Scranton, PA. Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A variety of vendors will offer great Italian food and other items, and continuous live entertainment will be featured on two stages. There is no admission charge. This year’s presenting sponsor is Lehigh Valley Hospital-Dickson City. Representing the hospital will be Carmella Mataloni, who will serve as Annunciatore Ufficiale, the Official Announcer for the festival.

Friday’s menu includes a Billy Joel Tribute featuring Frank Provinzono, and Mostra Automatica, a display of classic and Italian sports cars.

Among Saturday’s acts are The Luongo Brothers, with Gino Mercuri as Elvis, and The Cameos, New Jersey’s Favorite Oldies Group presented in memory of Patrick and Elaine Baress, with special guests, The Arminio’s.

Sunday begins with the annual Mass in Italian at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter, located one block from the festival site. The Mass will also be televised live by CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton.

The entertainment on Sunday includes T.J. Capobianco, La Festa’s premier tenor who is joining The New York City Metropolitan Opera as a full-time solo artist for the 2022/23 season; a Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin Tribute Show featuring Chris DiMattio and Las Vegas’ Andy DiMino with Ken McGraw’s Brass & Ivory Big Band; Daddy-O and the Sax Maniax sponsored by T-Mobile and fireworks presented by Dickson City Hyundai.

The festival’s final act on Monday is dance band Popstar Drive.

Among the many other acts that will perform are Danny Argo and Friends, comedian Uncle Floyd Vivino, Frankie Gervasi and Toby Naro, Gene Dempsey Orchestra, Old Friends, Flaxy Morgan, The Wanabees, The Exact Change featuring Paul LaBelle, Gerard Mayer Band, Ballet Theatre of Scranton performing Italian-Folk street dances, plus many others including jugglers, magicians, street acts, favorite local bands and dance groups.

La Festa Italiana will literally hit the ground running with the Ninth Annual Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m. The race is being sponsored by the Scranton Chapter of UNICO, the Italian-American service organization, and proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania Christmas Party and West Scranton High School Scholarship Program. Pre-registration deadline is Sept. 1 and can be done at runsignup.com/Minicozzi. Participants can also register on site the day of the race.

For more information, the complete entertainment schedule and updates, visit the festival website at: www.lafestaitaliana.org.