Warren Italian-American Festival
- Tarantella0:15
- Italian Fun0:15
- Italian Opera0:15
- The Little Cafe0:15
Between 1890 & 1924, Italian immigrants flocked to Ohio’s Mahoning Valley. The area’s burgeoning iron & steel industries beckoned with job prospects for immigrants fleeing southern & Eastern Europe—particularly from Southern Italy, a region that at the time lacked opportunity & highly taxed its natives. Upon the arrival of these new residents, neighborhoods such as Youngstown’s Smoky Hollow & Brier Hill offered accepting communities, & Niles Fire Brick Factory Company & Trumbull Blast Furnace provided employment. Assimilation was not always easy, & discrimination occurred, but Italian Americans ultimately prospered, making a mark not only as steelworkers but also as shopkeepers, grocers, restaurateurs, tradesmen, educators, doctors, lawyers, legislators, & mayors. Read the book that explores the immigration experience, community, workplace dynamics, celebrations, worship, heritage, & lasting impact of the second-largest ethnic group in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley.Available at Amazon
Our purpose is to share and perpetuate our Italian heritage with the community through cultural exhibits, ethnic food and entertainment. We are a volunteer, 501(C) 3 organization. Except for donations from our corporate sponsors, our committee pays for everything. The $3.00 donation helps defray our expenses which include, but are not limited to, permits and fees paid to the city of Warren, security, entertainment, stage, sound & lights, tables, chairs & tents, printing and advertising, clean up, electricians, utilities, equipment and office rental.
We also contribute back to the community through donations to organizations such as Relay for Life, Make A Wish, Harding Band and Warren JFK Cheerleaders. This year we awarded five - $1,000.00 scholarships to area students.