One of Lawrence County’s oldest and more populous ethnic groups will celebrate its heritage with music, song, dance, games and food this weekend at Cascade Park. A traditional baby doll dance, a Dean Martin impersonator, the New Castle Playhouse Mini Stars and other music will take the stage for the annual Italian Festival, a community event that runs Friday through Sunday.

The event will kick off Friday with a weekend-long traditional bocce tournament and a performance by the Dorals, both at 7 p.m. The bocce tournament will resume at 11 a.m. Saturday, and the festivities will officially open at noon with the national anthem, sung by Jerianne Zona, and the Italian anthem sung by Nunzio Burrelli.