Italian Experience
Despite a forecast of rain and dropping temperatures, thousands of residents of Butler County and surrounding areas came out to the first Butler Italian Festival to sample cuisine, take in some live entertainment and celebrate the heritage of the area on Saturday.
The inaugural four-day event along part of Main Street included authentic Italian musical performances, Italian food and drink vendors, and activities for children.
Organizer Rocco Lamanna estimated that 5,000 people visited the street fair on Friday, with an even bigger turnout Saturday. Because of the Labor Day holiday falling on the same weekend, he said turnout was expected to be “tremendous.”
Lamanna said Butler was chosen for the festival a year and a half ago.
“This was the farthest away from an existing Italian festival, and had the most potential because there are a lot of Italians in this area between here and New Castle, he said.”
He said the inaugural event won't be the last.
“We are looking forward to bringing it back next year,” he said.
Crowned Saturday were three young women who won the titles of Little Miss, Junior Miss and Senior Miss in the first Butler County Star of Italy pageant.
The pageant included 14 contestants between ages 4 and 18 who competed in a modeling competition, which involved onstage introductions of themselves, casual wear and evening wear.
The pageant was judged by four local community and business members, who crowned Chloe Sant of Cranberry Township as Little Miss for contestants ages 4 to 7, Isabella Firster, 10, of New Castle as Junior Miss for contestants ages 8 to 12, and Annie Rieg, 13, of Deer Lakes as Senior Miss for contestants ages 13 to 18.
Jennifer Dimit Baldacci, director of the pageant and owner and head instructor of Jen's Academy of Rhythm & Moves in Butler, said she was proud of all the contestants.
“It takes a lot of guts for a young person to get up on a stage and speak and walk in front of an audience and that's one of the reasons why we do pageantry, we feel that if you can get up and present yourself and stand with confidence, that just helps you throughout life.”
Intermissions of the pageants also included performers from Jen's Academy, showcasing twirling and dance moves.
Dimit Baldacci said the winners will now participate with those crowned in the Pittsburgh Italian Festival pageant, and be part of parades in the city.
“I think the pageant went wonderful. We had a great attendance and we were very thankful that we had great weather,” she said. “The kids all enjoyed themselves, we had a great response from the crowd and feedback so far. I think it was a really good first pageant and we will definitely be doing it again.”
Saturday's events also included Frank Sinatra tribute artist Nick Fiasco, a “how-to” cooking demonstration for Italian food presented by BC3 Lifelong Learning, favorite Italian tunes from the Butch Nichols Band, and MEM3, featuring Butler guitarist Chuck Moses playing rock 'n' roll favorites
Various vendors also offered authentic Italian cuisine, and traditional fair food, while children could enjoy such activities as a rock climbing wall.
Emil Tola of Saxonburg, who was sporting an Italian flag hat, said he was a full-blooded Italian, and wanted to come enjoy the excitement.
Known as “Mr. Garlic” in his hometown because of the five acres of garlic he grows, Tola said he loves Italian music and Italian food.
Gene Manuel of Butler, also decked out in Italian garb, said it was important to celebrate the heritage.
“I'm Italian, my dad was Italian, it's great to carry the tradition on, have some fun and relive the old customs,” he said.
His companion, Gail Fleming of Sarver, said she loves “the Italian music and the Italian food and the Italian people.”
