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The Italian-American Festival prince and princess ride in the parade: Michael Purpura, son of Jerlando and Jessica Purpura, and Maria Scaptura, daughter of Charlie Scaptura and Kristina Vondracek. (Photo by Liz Fraboni)

Italian-American Festival concludes annual 3-day run

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. 4– The 35th annual Schuyler County Italian-American Festival ended Sunday with its third and final day highlighted by skateboard-park competition and a motorcycle show.

Saturday's highlights had been the festival's always popular parade, pasta-eating contest and fireworks.

Anthony J. Specchio Jr. was honored as grand marshal of the parade. Specchio, of Watkins Glen, recently was recognized as a “living symbol of patriotism and honor” when he was inducted into the New York Senate’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame.

Also joining more than 50 units in the parade were Festival Prince Michael Purpura, son of Jerlando and Jessica Purpura, and Festival Princess Maria Scaptura, daughter of Charlie Scaptura and Kristina Vondracek.

The ever-popular parade followed a route from Watkins Glen High School to Clute Park, site of the festival, starting at noon. The reviewing stand was again at Lafayette Park, featuring Jim Howell as announcer.

Carnival rides and games, music, bingo, and a huge variety of food were also part of the festival’s weekend of fun.

All proceeds from the Italian-American Festival are returned to the community through donations and scholarships.

The festival grounds opened at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1. The musical group Penny and the Shylocks, formerly Shylock Foxx, performed at the Entertainment tent that night from 7:00-10:30 p.m.

Saturday’s pasta-eating contest was presented by the Southern Finger Lakes Women and the Montour Moose Lodge. The contest, open to anyone of any age, was held at 4 p.m. at the Entertainment Stage, with Mike Stamp serving as emcee. The contest winner was Elizabeth Hyler of Beaver Dams.

Music Saturday night was by Midnight Special, a nationally acclaimed classic rock band from Cincinnati, performing from 8:00-11:30 p.m. Midnight Special was returning after a successful inaugural appearance last year.

The festival’s popular fireworks show was again the biggest seen from the shores of Seneca Lake. The always-memorable show started Saturday night at 10:15.

One of Sunday’s highlights was the Italian-American Festival Motorcycle Show. Motorcyclists and motorcycle fans were invited starting at noon. Parking was free for all motorcycles.

The Lakeside Skate Park Competition also got under way at noon on Sunday. The competitors amazed spectators with their stunts on skateboards, rollerblades and bicycles.

The Tony Tallarida Memorial Bocce Tournament also returned this year, and more than 20 food concessions and upwards of 50 craft vendors offered something for everyone throughout the weekend.

Except for the amusements, all of the entertainment was free. No admission to the festival was charged, and parking on Clute Park grounds was only $5 per vehicle.

As part of its emphasis on offering a family-friendly experience, the organizing committee prohibited all outside alcoholic beverages from the festival grounds. Coolers and bags were checked.

Local wines and ice cold beer were available for purchase at the festival’s beer garden, a designated area designed to offer a relaxing atmosphere for festival-goers 21 and older.

*****

Photos in text:

From top: Festival fireworks filled the sky Saturday night; Allison Stamp attacks a bowl of spaghetti in the pasta-eating contest; and Anthony Specchio rides as grand marshal in the parade. (Photos by Liz Fraboni)

A large bunny gets a ride on a tractor in the parade, while a dog is carried on a different kind of vehicle. (Photos by Liz Fraboni)

Motorcycles were one of Sunday's highlights at the festival. (Photo by Liz Fraboni)

Left: A balloon exchanges hands in the parade. Right: Big Jack Tallerida of Elkland, Pa., sends a ball on its way as he competes in the bocce tournament. (Photos by Liz Fraboni)

Music was one of the parade's many attractions. (Photo by Liz Fraboni)

Left: Freedom Village's float in Saturday's parade was one with a patriotic theme.
Right:
A bicyclist performs in the skate park competition Sunday.
(Photos by Liz Fraboni)

 

 

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Charles Haeffner
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Odessa, New York 14869

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