It was a great time to be Italian. Cascade Park hosted the annual Italian Festival over the weekend, featuring a variety of food from the old country, as well as such other favorites as music, a baby doll dance and bocce and morra tournaments.

“The music is great, but we’ve driven up every year for the last seven years for the food,” said Tony Izona of New Brighton, who was visiting with his wife, Mary. New Castle residents Jennifer and Ricky Panella arrived with their 3-year-old son and twin 1-year-old girls in tow, and headed straight for the food booths as well.