La Festa Italiana kicks off in Scranton

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) – Hundreds of individuals in Lackawanna County kicked off Labor Day Weekend the Italian way!

Scranton’s La Festa Italiana returned Friday night time immediately after the pandemic sidelined it final year.

Savory smells of Italian delicacies loaded the air in downtown Scranton for the initially evening of La Festa. The scent of delightful food items had been missing right here for two decades.

“It’s excellent to be out and back, and to arrive listed here and try to eat, try to eat, eat!” Joann Davis said.

Tents serving meals of all sorts lined courthouse square attracting a enormous crowd.

“What is additional important in our heritage and tradition than meals. So, this competition is all about food items, a good deal of Italian foods definitely, so it suggests a whole lot. Particularly coming off this pandemic,” Sal Benvenuti, Govt Director of Unico Countrywide, said.

The Labor Working day tradition back in the Electric Town also introduced out 70 corporations and compact organizations to participate in the Lackawanna County staple function.

“Every year we wait around for this. Even all my workers, they all hold out for it. They’re extensive hours, but truly worth it at the conclude,” Eugene Padula, Operator of Carmella’s Italian Deli & Pastries, claimed.

For regional restaurant owners like Eugene Padula, the competition means so much much more than just serving delectable dishes. He states it is a way to hook up in-person with all those in the neighborhood who have served continue to keep his shop afloat.

“We’re even now heading, and we’re just happy to be in Scranton,” Padula reported.

La Festa proceeds as a result of Labor Working day.