Italian Fest to raise money for area fire departments

CALCUTTA, Ohio (WKBN) — Calcutta Fire Department’s second-annual Italian Fest is this Saturday.

The day kicks off with the event’s first Meatball 5K Run and Walk at the Dunham’s Plaza.
There’s also live music, a wine-making contest, a beer trailer, and a bar crawl with a free party bus — and of course, Italian food.

This festival gives back to the community in more ways than Italian goods.

“A unique aspect of this year is that the food, Italian food that’s being made, it actually supports other fire departments,” said Lt. Randy Schneider. “Newell Volunteer Fire Department is doing meatball subs, and then Negley Volunteer Fire Department, which is next to us, they’re doing hot sausage sandwiches. So you’re not just helping our fire department, you’re helping several local fire departments.”

There is a $5 entry fee to the festival, which is cash only.

For more information on events planned throughout the day, visit the festival’s Facebook event page.

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