As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, we also mark a major milestone: La Festa Italiana is observing the 50th anniversary of its founding! The annual celebration of culture, cuisine and music will be held again over Labor Day weekend, Friday through Monday, September 4-7, 2026. The presenting sponsor is Lehigh Valley Hospital-Dickson City, part of Jefferson Health.
The convergent national and local anniversaries are not just a coincidence. La Festa Italiana was initiated in 1976 when the country was celebrating the Bicentennial. Individuals and groups were offering gifts of community service to commemorate this important milestone.
In that spirit, La Festa Italiana was conceived by then-Lackawanna County Commissioner Robert W. Pettinato as a way for the local Italian-American community to offer a gift that would keep on giving – and that is exactly what happened, 50 years on and counting.
The festival has expanded over the years to offer something for everyone to enjoy. Admission is free!
Of course, there is the food, a mouth-watering variety tempting the taste buds! Among the many culinary delights is the famous porketta sandwich prepared by the Scranton Chapter of UNICO, the largest Italian American service organization in the U.S. Another hot spot – literally – is the Cappuccino Café, where you can sip a creamy cup to go with your favorite Italian pastry.
In between bites, people of all ages will enjoy Italian vocalists, artists, national and local bands as well as dance groups performing over four days and nights on three stages.
A Heritage Tent sponsored by the Cali Foundation will feature photos, news articles and other memorabilia highlighting the history of La Festa and profiles of prominent local and nationally known Italian Americans.
A new addition this year will be a Cultural Tent, sponsored by Fidelity Bank, that will host presentations on topics such as food, music and history.
Italian-themed clothing and novelties, crafts, bocce games, and the Onvo Kids Zone will also be available.
The Alfredo’s Main Stage opening act on Friday (Sept. 4) will be Ray Massa’s EuroRhythms Italian Show Band, and they will also perform on Saturday. Friday night will close with The Untouchables.
The lineup on Saturday (Sept. 5) features The Cameos, New Jersey’s Favorite Oldies Band; a celebration of Perry Como with the Scranton Shakespeare Festival; and a Billy Joel Tribute by Frank Provinzono & Ken McGraw’s Brass & Ivory Band. Also on Saturday there will be a car show and parade, sponsored by Toyota of Scranton, from 1-4 p.m.
Sunday (Sept. 6) begins with the annual Mass in Italian at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter, located one block from the festival site. The Mass in Italian is one of the most cherished traditions of La Festa Italiana. Priests and volunteers from Italian parishes played a prominent role in organizing and conducting
La Festa from its inception in 1976. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, will preside at this year’s liturgy and give the homily. Reverend David P. Cappelloni, La Festa Chaplain and pastor of Saint John Paul II Parish in Dunmore, will be the principal celebrant. Concelebrants will include Monsignor Constantine V. Siconolfi, La Festa Chaplain Emeritus, and Reverend Joseph J. Adonizio, 100 years old and a priest for 70 years. Deacons from the Diocese will also participate.
The entertainment on Sunday includes La Festa’s premiere Italian vocalist,TJ. Capobianco from The Met, a Connie Francis tribute by Nicole Rasmus and a Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin Tribute Show featuring Chris DiMattio and Las Vegas’ Andy DiMino with a special guest, Gary Frank (aka Tom Jones). The evening finishes with Daddy-O and the Sax Maniax.
On Monday (Sept. 7) the Gene Dempsey Orchestra makes its traditional appearance, this year in honor of their namesake maestro Gene “Dempsey” Passarella, who passed away recently at the age of 100. Also that day a cannoli eating contest will be held. Popstar Drive will be the festival closing act.
La Festa Italiana will literally hit the ground running with the 14th Annual Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m. The race is being held in association with the Scranton Chapter of UNICO, the national Italian-American service organization. Proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania Christmas Party and college scholarships for students at Captain Minicozzi’s alma mater, West Scranton High School. To register in advance ($25) go to: runsignup.com/Minicozzi or on race day ($35) from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at corner of North Washington Avenue and Linden Street.
There will be a variety of Italian music with strollers and vocalists throughout the weekend sponsored by the Coccia Foundation. Other Major Sponsors include Lackawanna County and the City of Scranton, Keystone Sanitary Landfill, Dickson City Hyundai, the Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau and Merrill Lynch.
For news and updates, visit lafestaitaliana.org, and also Facebook: La Festa Italiana di Lackawanna County, Instagram: lafestascranton.
