The West Haven Columbus Day Committee will honor its "primo italiano" at the city's 21st annual Columbus Day Celebration. Aniello Cappetta, who owned and operated Cappetta's Italian Imports in Allingtown for nearly a quarter century, will receive the committee's Italian American of the Year award Friday at City Hall, 355 Main St.

The award is bestowed annually on an Italian resident, or couple, who personifies service in West Haven's close-knit Italian American community. "I am very proud of being Italian and very happy to receive this honor from the city of West Haven," Cappetta said.