FESTA TIME: Festa Italiana is in full swing with all its
fantastic food and, of course, fun. Nothing like having some pasta
fagioli and hot sausage sandwich while reminiscing with old
friends.

Ann DeLucia, vice president of Festa Italiana, passes along some
of the early history of the Italian Festival which has grown to
become a summer-time “old home” festival of sorts for
Bradfordians.

She writes, “We have partners, The Bradford Era and the Bradford
Journal. We cannot forget third partner, Mother Nature and her
offspring, Master Thunder and Miss Lightening. Met them earlier
this morning. Cannot dismiss them. They will leave when ready!”

Ann tells us that the current festival got its start with the
Bradford Centennial Celebration planned by city fathers and to
include the LaStella Lodge.

“They considered the Italian/American immigrants as partners in
Bradford’s growth,” she writes.

“Our present president, Francis Benedict, and Tony Magnella
entered the picture. Two years later, 1981, Louis DeSantis. In
1986, DeSantis invited women’s auxiliaries – LaStella, Dorothy
Frontino, and Maceratese (Marche), Ann DeLucia, presidents. We
agreed, hesitantly at first. Only several women from each
organization. Later, both La Stella and Marche – entire
memberships. Unbelievable! Women on the same level as men?”

“Another first in history … in 1988, Louis DeSantis retired
after his 8th annual festival. Donated all money and equipment. The
Exchange Club honored him at the 36th annual Golden Deeds
Award.

Some of the members of the present committee, part of the
dissolved group, decided to continue with the festa or, rather,
begin anew from scratch with no money for starters. They met with
Tops grocery which was willing to continue providing supplies but
with a “condition.”

” On Saturday night, when the festival is over, the store
manager will come to receive full payment of our purchases before
we make deposits in our bank. Considering the festival’s previous
success, we had no doubt the money that we had taken in would cover
our bill … beyond that?”

WAY BEYOND: It seems like the Festa, through the hard work and
dedication of many women and men, is always a great success and any
proceeds “beyond that” have been returned to the community. We
don’t have any overall figures but we’re quite certain the number
would run in the thousands of dollars donated to an assortment of
charities in Bradford.