Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and the West Haven Italian Heritage Committee will honor Republican state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro as the city’s “primo italiano” at the 24th annual Italian Heritage Celebration. Ferraro, a world-class martial artist and an ambassador of his proud Italian heritage, will receive the Italian American of the Year award at noon Friday at City Hall, 355 Main St.

The award is bestowed annually on an Italian resident or couple who personifies service in West Haven’s close-knit Italian community. Accompanied by Italian music and guided by Rossi, members of the committee and the West Haven Italian American Civic Association will escort Ferraro, the grandson of emigrant grandparents from the Campania capital of Naples, Italy, to the steps of City Hall for his special recognition.