On June 4, 1986 a group of seven individuals from the United Italian Central Committee met for the purpose of developing a format for an Italian America Festival. Those seven Festa Founders were: Dominic Bagnoli, Nick Boscia, Mike DeGirolamo, Nick DiSimone, Vince Lemmo, Armen Pileggi, and “Coach” Shori. As committees were developed, more people were added and finally, in January 1987, the Stark County Italian American Festival Foundation was incorporated as a non-profit organization.
The purpose of the Foundation was to promote and further the interests of all persons who support and espouse the Italian culture in America. Each of the seventeen Italian/American organizations in Stark County was invited to provide a delegate representative to the Festival Foundation.
Beginning in 1987, with the help of hundreds of volunteers, the Foundation developed and continues to operate a yearly festival. From 1987 to 1990 the festivals were held in downtown Canton in and around the Civic Center. In 1991, the festival was expanded and moved to the Stark County Fairgrounds. After being at the Fairgrounds for over 24 years, it was moved back downtown in 2015. In 2019, the festival was moved yet again to Weis Park. It has moved back to Downtown Canton’s new and improved Centennial Plaza in 2022 and 2023. It has been hosted at Kent State University Stark Campus since 2025.
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