The countdown is underway for the 2022 Festa Italiana, back at full strength and flavor Aug. 11 to 13 after a COVID-induced hiatus. Last year, the flavors of Italy returned — without the fanfare, fellowship and frivolity — with Festa To Go, with some of the popular foods available on a to-go basis. This year, the extremely popular Bradford event will open at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 11.
 
And back again to kick off the festival is Stan Pecora, who will start the ceremony, followed by the Parisellas, who will sing the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” a cappella. The first musical act of the festival — The OCTaves, a 17-piece big band from Olean, N.Y., that plays from 6 to 9 p.m. — will perform the Italian national anthem.