Guide to Peekskill's 2nd Annual Italian Festival

Be prepared for authentic Italian food, fun, music and festivities this weekend as Peekskill’s second annual Festa Italiana kicks off Thursday night and continues through Sunday this weekend. The schedule of events is packed with Italian music and food intended to celebrate la vita bella, Italian-style of course.

Plan your weekend around the following schedule (courtesy of Peekskillitalianfestival.com):

Thursday, Aug. 11a.m. - 8 p.m.

-The festival begins Friday at 5 p.m., but organizers have arranged a with Goumba Johnny MCing at the Paramount to kick the fun off one day early. The concert will benefit Assumption Church and other local charities. You can buy tickets on paramountcenter.org.

Friday, Aug. 12:  5 p.m. - 11 p.m.

•5p.m -  Opening Ceremonies: Boy Scout Color Guard, American and Italian National Anthem 
•Greeting by Mayor Foster, Presentation of Distinguished Italian American Citizen 
•6:30p.m. -  Mary Mancini & Mario Tacca Italian Singing Duo
•8p.m. - Doug Ferony Orchestra: Sinatra Tribute
•9p.m. - Over The Top & John Barresi with Dance Expressions

Saturday, Aug. 13:  12p.m.-11:00 PM

•12p.m. - Peekskill Middle School Band: Bakklash
• 1p.m. -  Magic Show with Magical Memories
• 2p.m. -  Antonia Arts Dance: Tarantella
• 3p.m. - Harry Rios Word of Mouth
• 4p.m. - Melillo Brothers with Dance Expressions
• 5p.m.  The Carozza Brothers: Italian Favorites & Dance
• 8p.m. - Micheal Castaldo: Italian Tenor
• 9p.m.  - The Carozza Brothers:  Contemporary Dance

Sunday, Aug. 14: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.
•12p.m. -  Mass at The Assumption Church
•12p.m. -  The Andy Polay Band
•1-2p.m. - Assumption Church Procession and Blessing 
(No alcohol served at this time throughout the Procession period)
•  2:30p.m. -  Mary Mancini and Mario Tacca Italian Singing Duo
•  4p.m.  - Tomato Sauce Wars Winner Announced, New Car Raffle Drawing
•  5p.m. -  Dennis Dell:  The Many Voices
•  6p.m. - Micheal Castaldo: Italian Tenor
•  7p.m. - Big Kahuna:  Italian Orchestra Dance                                  

Dough Ferony, a returning performer who is scheduled to sing Friday night at the Italian Festival, is excited to celebrate his Italian heritage with the community.  

"I’ve been living here most of my life and I never really remember an Italian festival in Peekskill itself," he said. "It’s definitely a good way to celebrate the Italian people and it’s a fun time."

Over the course of the three days, 25,000 people are expected to attend, says Director of the festival, Frank Cimino. Last year 12,000 people attended Cimino said. 

On Friday, Mayor Mary Foster will present the Distinguished Italian American Award to Salvatore Scaramellino. To be eligible for this award, one must be of Italian descent, must work or reside in Peekskill, and have contributed positively to the city. 

Scaramellino and his late wife, Margaret own Sorrento's, an Italian restaurant in Peekskill that has been a favorite in the city for decades.

New to the festival from last year, attendees can enter a raffle to win a new car or $25,000 cash. Tickets are $100 each and the winner will have the choice of a new Dodge Charger, a Mustang Convertible, or the cash. 

Local food vendors will be set up throughout the weekend including Tarrone Candy, Little Sorrentos, Grecian Delights, Gina Foods, Fat Joe's Deli and Doug's Dogs.

All proceeds from the raffle and other donations will benefit the Assumption Church and Catholic School on 131 Union Ave. 

In addition to a weekend filled with live music and entertainment, the festival will offer carnival rides, games, street artists, an authentic Italian Marionette theatre, a Kids Zone and more. 

The festival will wrap up with a Tomato Sauce War. Celebrity judges including  the famous Italian tenor performing at the benefit concert Thursday night, Kacey Morabito from local radio station WHUD, and News 12's Lisa LaRocca have been judging sauce submissions all week and will announce the winner Sunday at 4 p.m. 

Read more about the Tomato Sauce War .

Festa Italiana Peekskill will be held on Brown St., home of the Paramount Center for the Arts. Brown, Esther and James streets will all be closed. You can park at the parking garage on Nelson Ave. and the Peekskill High School parking lot on 1072 Elm Street. 

Visit the festival’s website here: http://www.peekskillfestival.com/#!

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