One of the many Bradford traditions is the annual Festa Italiana, and set up for the festa is set to begin Thursday.
The opening ceremony for Festa Italiana will be Aug. 10 at 6 p.m.
Food booths, as well as the beer tent, will be open at 4 p.m. on that day as well.
Members of the La Stella Auxiliary and the La Stella Lodge have been busy at work preparing for the festa since July.
The women of the auxiliary have been making baked goods and treats since last month, and the men of the lodge will begin to prepare sauce and meatballs on Aug. 5.
Food offerings this year at the festa will include meatball sandwiches, sausage sandwiches, eggplant sandwiches, rigatoni, Italian wedding soup, pizza and fried dough.
Muffaletta sandwiches, offered at the festa this year, are also growing into a crowd favorite, according to Mary Ann Colestro, member of the Festa Italiana committee.
The beer tent, which opens Aug. 10 at 4 p.m., and Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m., will remain open until the conclusion of the bands at 1 a.m.
“This year we are hoping that the weather is in our favor,” she said. “Last year was a tough year, as it rained all three days, so that literally puts a damper on things.”
This year under the tent, there will also be a band line up featuring all local entertainers.
This year, Festa Italiana will also have a teen tent where ages 13 to 18 are free to gather, hang out and eat.
There will also be games offered for these teens to play including cornhole, yardzee, blongo, and a life-size Jenga game.
Along with this, a photo backdrop and props will be available in the tent for teens to take pictures and upload to the festa Facebook page.
“There is no cost to this area. We just wanted to add something for that age group where they can come down and enjoy themselves as well,” said Colestro.
She also stated how the teen tent is something they hope to grow, and that it will be something to bring teens to the festa.
As far as committee members are aware, the Festa Italiana originated over 50 years ago.
It was also originally created to celebrate the Feast of St. Rocco, who was the patron saint of the sick.
This festival was held the second full weekend in August.
And according to Colestro, many churches across the country still have parties and festivals to celebrate St. Rocco’s Day.
This celebration, over time, has turned into what we now know in Bradford as the Festa Italiana.
“Over the years, there have been so many dedicated people to this event, and these traditions continue to be passed down from generation to generation,” she stated. “Many of the men and women who give their time to prepare this event have been giving of themselves since the beginning.”
Local individuals, groups and organizations help to work the booths.
Groups who participate include sports teams, church groups, youth groups, and local charity groups.
The festa committee donates to each of these groups after the festival as well.
Colestro said, “Without the groups that man the booths for us each year, it would be impossible to cover all these areas.”
She went on to state how much she and the rest of the committee appreciates everything these individuals do.
Those who are interested in volunteering can see any member at the festival for information.
“We encourage young people to volunteer and join our organizations, whether it be the La Stella auxiliary or the La Stella lodge, and learn from the older generations so we can continue to keep their traditions alive,” she stated.
A balloon release, to kick off the fest, will be on Aug. 10 at 6 p.m., and a fireworks show will be given Saturday night to conclude the festa.
