For the 36th time, the Greater Youngstown Italian Festival has spread across four blocks in downtown Youngstown.

"What makes it so special is the historical significance," says chairman John Rossetti. "We keep it as close to what it was originally...this year we have people coming from as far away as California, Texas, New Mexico, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania."

That diverse cross section the festival brings every year is key.
Rossetti says Italian tradition celebrates family and welcomes everyone.

One thing not welcome - the recent historic inflation.
It seems anywhere we go we can't escape it, but at least it's not putting much of a damper on this festival.

"The vendors definitely...they've raised their prices a little on the foods, not to the extent I thought we would see, I think next year you'll see a larger increase," Rossetti said. "For the Italian Fest, our expenses have gone up a little more than 25 percent this year."

But fortunately those costs aren't being reflected in admission prices.
Which leaves the thousands of kids and kids at heart to enjoy another year of one of the Valley's best loved festivals.