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Times-shamrock communiTy newspapers 149 Penn Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: (570) 207-3473 Fax: (570) 207-3448 E-mail: triborobanner@ timesshamrock.com
September 10, 2015
www.thetriborobanner.com
‘Giving Back to the Community’
ON THE INSIDE The lastest happenings in our area Page 4-
BANNER
Old Forge’s Felittese Festival kicks off this weekend
by Cathleen Lathrop
SPECIAL TO THE TRIBORO BANNER
This weekend marks the 28th annual Felittese Festival in Old Forge. The unique festival honors Our Lady of Constantinople, who is the the patron saint of Felitto, in the Italian provinve of Salerno. Many Old Forge celebrants can trace their lineage to Felitto. The event is celebrated in both Old Forge and Filetto. Our Lady of Constantinople is honored because Salerno was, for a time, under the control of Constantinople after the Gothic invastion. The first festival started around 1907 when Old Forge citizens gathered for camaraderie and religious purpose. They would bring a covered dish to the association building, where a chapel was established about that same time. The festival was held nearly every year, but ceased around the beginning of World War II. In 1987 when the deed to the building was entrusted to the Diocese of Scranton, the Felittese Association took possession of the land. Then, they began to host the festival as it is commonly known today, featuring tents and delicious food. “We have people who come from all over the United States who have some type of Felittese in them. Attending the festival you can see old faces, meet new friends, enjoy delicious food, and have a good time and celebrate,” said John Saleski, a member of the board of directors. The festival kicks off Friday, Sept. 11, at 5 p.m. with the band Sweet Pepper and the Long Hots scheduled to play at 6 p.m. Old-fashioned Italian food will be served all weekend at the Felittese Association Building. This year staffers have made approximately 2,000 pounds of gnocchi, 4,000 meatballs, 500 pounds of tripe, 400 pounds of sausage and 50 bushels of peppers. They plan on cooking and slicing about 600-700 pounds of porketta. They’ll also feature portobello mushroom sandwiches, pasta e fagioli, as well as broccoli and cavatelli. There will also be dessert items available, such as homemade cannolis and other various Italian pastries.
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A procession bearing the statue of Our Lady of Constantinople will travel from St. Mary’s church to the festival grounds.
Doors will open Saturday, Sept. 12, at 5 p.m. with Fuzzy Park Band playing at 6 p.m. The festival will hold its fourth annual 5K race and fun walk on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 9 a.m. This year the event will be held in remembrance of John J. Guida, who was a founder and a past officer of the event. The race will begin at Old Forge High School Football Stadium and ends at the Felittese Association Building. Following the race there will be Mass held at Saint Mary’s Church at 10 a.m. Concluding the service, the traditional procession of the statue will take place, which ends at the chapel grounds on Third Street. The festival will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday with live music from The Fab Three beginning at 6 p.m.
“We start preparing around May or June, and as the weeks go by, we’re ready for the festival. It’s a community effort, and the whole community gets involved by supporting us,” said Joe Terruso, one of the organizers. The organization also returns the support that the community has given them. Since 2000, the association has donated $150,000 to different churches, scholarships, individuals in need, charities and youth organizations. The organization is also closely associated with The Sons of Italy, which also does various charity work. “It’s about giving back to the community,” Saleski said. For more information, visit facebook.com/felitteseassociation or call 570-498-0178.