SCRANTON — For nearly 50 years, La Festa Italiana has been a Labor Day tradition, drawing crowds not just from the area, but from across Pennsylvania and beyond.
Terri Wood and her husband David made the trip from Dryden, New York, to enjoy Italian food and music.
Wood, attending the event for the first time, said her first food sampling was a cheese filled pastry, but she would be soon heading over to the UNICO porketta stand.
“We just came out to see what’s new,” she said. “It’s a fun Saturday.”
Terri Wood, of Dryden, New York, attends La Festa Italiana Saturday. Wood, who attended Marywood, was enjoying the music and foods of Italy. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Ron Cook of Towanda enjoys a chicken cabob and traditional hero at La Festa Italiana Saturday. Cook and his family attended Railfest and then came over to La Festa Italiana for lunch. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Melina Roldan, 4, and her sister Naylene Roldan, 3, hold balloons at La Festa Italiana Saturday, as Amanda Reynolds, their mother, looks on. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Thousands turned out for La Festa Italiana Saturday, to enjoy ethnic food, music and activities. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Vendor Michael Scala, of Brooklyn, has attended the event for 22 years. He said the seven layer rainbow cake was among the crowd’s favorites. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
A porketta sandwich served at the UNICO stand at La Festa Italiana on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton Saturday. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Show Caption
1 of 6
Terri Wood, of Dryden, New York, attends La Festa Italiana Saturday. Wood, who attended Marywood, was enjoying the music and foods of Italy. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Expand
Michael Scala and his family traveled from Brooklyn for the weekend offering treats from their business, Original Scala Pastry.
Anthony Scala, his father, has been attending the event as a vendor “since it started,” said Michael Scala, who’s been accompanying his dad for 22 years.
But, it goes beyond simply a chance to sell pastries, Scala said.
“We love the crowds, the people,” he said. “We love everything about the event.”
Kevin and Lisa Brady, of West Orange, NJ, attended the event while visiting family nearby.
The last time the couple attended the event was before the COVID pandemic and they were thoroughly enjoying their afternoon.
“We really love the UNICO porketta,” Kevin Brady said. “You just can’t get this kind in New York or New Jersey.”
When asked what was unique about the sandwiches, Brady said it was the seasoning and the sauce.
“They’re less juicy and less seasoned,” Lisa Brady said of porkettas from other areas.
Across the generations
It was the second time Amanda Lynn Reynolds of Scranton attended La Festa, with her children Melina, 4, and Naylene, 3.
Balloons in hand, the children made their way onto Courthouse square with wide eyes and huge smiles.
Last year the two were in a double stroller, a bit too young to walk through crowds.
“This year I think they’re going to have a lot of fun and good things to eat,” Reynolds said. “We’re heading over the the cannoli stand.”
Pat Brown and Joann Merli, both in their 60s, started the day walking the 13th Annual Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial Race.
“We did it in under an hour,” Brown said smiling. “That’s good.”
Following the 5K, the friends were headed out to the La Festa stands intent on porketta, pizza and cannolis.
“More than anything else,” Brown said. “It’s a chance to give back to the community.”
La Festa Italiana continues Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dining and Cooking